MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama Republican leaders reacted quickly Thursday coming to the defense of former President Donald Trump after a New York jury handed down a verdict of 34 felony convictions. Some called the trial a political witch hunt and said the real verdict will come in November.
“Today’s verdict is a perfect example of why our judicial system has an appeals process in place,” Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen said on Twitter. “It is a fail safe for every American citizen against errors made in the court system. Every citizen has a right to a fair appeal and President Trump’s appeals case should be a slam dunk for any unbiased and fair appellate court. It is obvious to anyone paying attention that today’s verdict is a travesty of justice…”
U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Alabama, said in a written statement the trial was a “political witch hunt from the start.”
“The fact that the Biden campaign staged a press conference outside the court tells you everything you need to know,” Tuberville said.
Tuberville was in New York earlier this month, speaking to the media in support of Trump when a gag order prevented Trump from speaking for himself.
“… This is pure election interference and the American people will see through it,” Tuberville said. “We can’t have a two-tier justice system. If we don’t return to our Constitution, which guarantees every U.S. citizen the right to free speech and the right to a fair trial by an impartial jury, we are no better than Venezuela or communist China.”
Fellow Sen. Katie Britt, R-Alabama, said on X “Democrats just set the dangerous, destructive precedent of the party in power weaponizing prosecutorial powers against their political adversary.”
“This is a hallmark of a banana republic, not a constitutional republic,” Britt said. “Make no mistake—Americans won’t tolerate a two-tiered system of justice, and the real verdict will come on Nov. 5.”
U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Birmingham, the state’s highest-ranking Democrat, said Thursday no one is above the law.
“After evaluating the evidence and the facts of the case, a jury has found Donald Trump guilty on all 34 counts,” Sewell said on social media. “Today’s verdict confirms that no one is above the law—not even a former president. Justice has been served.”
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, who was also in New York earlier this month to support Trump, also blasted the verdicts and trial.
“I’ve never been a part of a criminal investigation or prosecution in which the target was a person, not a crime, and the outcome was determined before a single piece of evidence was gathered,” Marshall said. “This was only meant to serve as a distraction from Biden’s disastrous record – one open borders, inflation and national security. Fortunately, the American people see this for the hoax that it is and I believe the wrongful of it all will only strengthen President Trump’s reelection bid.”
Here’s what others said:
U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Haleyville:
“Trump Verdict: The prosecutors in this case, with I believe help from the bench, had to take the law and make origami out of it to try and get the verdict they wanted. This was not about justice. This was about politics. This will be overturned on appeal. ABSOLUTELY NO DOUBT.”
U.S. Rep. Barry Moore, R-Enterprise:
“This verdict is a travesty of justice in a kangaroo court, and it proves Joe Biden’s sole focus is not to help the American people, but instead to weaponize against his political opponents to help his reelection during a failing administration. Americans will be outraged by this obvious weaponization, because they now know that anyone can be targeted.”
U.S. Rep. Jerry Carl, R-Mobile:
“This verdict is an absolute disgrace and an abuse of the American justice system. The American People can see right through the Left’s tactics of weaponizing the courts to keep an innocent man from returning to the Presidency. Our country needs Trump back in the White House.”
U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer, R-Birmingham:
“The Trump trial has been nothing more than a political assassination attempt. The only reason this case proceeded is because the defendant’s name is Donald Trump. The left will do anything to stop him before the election in November.”
U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Saks:
“(Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg) Alvin Bragg just made a mockery of the American justice system. Today’s verdict is disheartening for our country, but I am hopeful that Americans can rectify this injustice on Election Day.”
U.S. Rep. Dale Strong, R-Huntsville:
“I am disheartened by the verdict. I strongly believe that these charges would not have been brought against Donald Trump had he not sought the office of president. Alvin Bragg brought this case because of politics, not justice. It is clear Democrats weaponized our court system to try to undermine President Trump.”