Former Vice President Mike Pence condemned the conviction of former President Donald Trump on Thursday, calling it an "outrage" and a "political prosecution." Trump was found guilty on all counts in his historic criminal trial, making him the first former president of the United States to be convicted of a crime.
Former President Donald Trump was found guilty on Thursday on all charges in his historic criminal trial, making him the first former president of the United States to be convicted of a crime. Former Vice President Mike Pence, who has previously voiced opposition to the indictment against Trump, condemned the conviction, calling it an "outrage" and a "political prosecution."
"The conviction of former President Trump on politically motivated charges is an outrage and disservice to the nation," Pence told Fox News Digital. "No one is above the law, but our courts must not become a tool to be used against political opponents."
Pence added that the conviction sends a "terrible message" to the wider world about the American justice system and further divides the country at a time when the American people are struggling under the Biden administration's policies.
"This conviction also sends a terrible message to the wider world about the American justice system and only further divides us at a time when the American people are struggling under the failed policies of the Biden administration at home and abroad," he said.
Pence, whose relationship with Trump soured after the Jan. 6 riots, reiterated his previous stance that he will not be endorsing Trump in the 2024 presidential election.
"It should come as no surprise that I will not be endorsing Donald Trump this year," Pence told Fox News in March. "I'm incredibly proud of the record of our administration. It was a conservative record that made America more prosperous, more secure and saw conservatives appointed to our courts in a more peaceful world."
Trump, who has denied wrongdoing and vowed to appeal the conviction, said the trial was a "disgrace" and a "rigged" prosecution.
"This was a disgrace. This was a rigged trial by a conflicted judge who was corrupt, as a rigged trial and disgrace. It wouldn't give us a venue change," Trump said. "We were at 5% or 6% in this district, in this area. This was a rigged, disgraceful trial."
Trump has maintained that the real verdict will come from the people in the upcoming presidential election.
"The real verdict is going to be Nov. 5 by the people," Trump said.
The conviction of Trump on charges of falsifying business records is a significant development in American history. It remains to be seen how the conviction will impact the political landscape and the ongoing investigations into Trump's actions.
