Caribbean-American elected officials in New York on Thursday welcomed the conviction of former President Donald J. Trump for falsifying New York business records in order to conceal an illegal scheme to corrupt the 2016 Presidential Election.
A jury of 12 “ordinary New Yorkers” Thursday afternoon found Trump guilty on all 34 felony counts regarding the reimbursement of hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels in order to conceal a sex scandal around the election.
Trump, 77, thus, became the first United States president to be convicted of a crime.
While Trump is likely to appeal his conviction, his sentencing is slated for July 11.
“Today’s verdict exemplifies the simple notion that no one is above the law,” Caribbean-American Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke told Caribbean Life exclusively.
“No matter who you are, what tax bracket you’re in, or even if you are a former president, there are consequences for breaking the law and the American justice system will always strive to hold you accountable for your actions,” added the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, who represents the predominantly Caribbean 9th Congressional District in Brooklyn.
“Donald Trump is now a convicted felon, found guilty on all 34 counts,” Clarke continued. “The rule of law prevailed, and justice has been served.”
New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, the son of Grenadian immigrants, said the guilty verdict is “a moment for justice, but not celebration.”
“It is the first time that this man, who has had every privilege and no barriers in his entire life, is finally facing some level of accountability,” he said. “I commend District Attorney (Alvin) Bragg for steadfastly and professionally pursuing that accountability in the face of vicious attacks.
“In my role as Public Advocate, I have seen far too many wealthy and well-connected people circumvent justice while disenfranchised New Yorkers fall victim to injustice,” Williams added. “Donald Trump is not a victim of anything but his own character and wrongdoing, and his victims are innumerable across 91 felony charges and across the country.
“There will be many who try to defend or excuse Trump – many of the same people notably silent about the five innocent Black teenagers he once condemned to death – but it is clear in this verdict, and in the decade of evidence we’ve all been witness to, that he is entirely unfit to represent anyone,” he continued.
Photo courtesy Office of New York State Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte-Hermelyn
Brooklyn Democratic Party Chair, New York State Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, the daughter of Haitian immigrants, noted that “for the first time in the history of the United States, a president has been convicted of a crime, nonetheless 34 felony charges.
“This is a great blemish added to our nation’s history,” said the representative for the 42nd Assembly District in Brooklyn. “Yet, the Brooklyn Democratic Party is pleased to see Donald Trump finally facing tangible consequences for his despicable actions.
“As prosecutor Matthew Colangelo said of Trump’s criminal actions, ‘It was election fraud. Pure and simple,’” Bichotte Hermelyn added. “In our democracy, nobody is above the law, and that includes our former President Trump, who a jury found guilty of falsifying business records by covering up a payment to an adult film star before the 2016 election.
“Yet let’s not forget that Trump is still the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, as he faces three other pending criminal cases and numerous civil cases, including one led by our New York State Attorney General Letitia James,” she continued, warning that “Trump remains an ever-dangerous threat to the core of our democracy and the American people as he tries to run for president again.”
Bichotte Hermelyn said the Brooklyn Democratic Party thanks Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and his office for their “continued work to bring Trump to justice, despite threats and protests.
“As the Presidential Elections quickly approach, Democrats in Brooklyn – and across the nation – must continue to counter the vile hatred of MAGA Trumpism with unity and strong leadership as we build a brighter democracy,” she urged.
In a very short statement, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said Thursday’s verdict “reaffirms that no one is above the law.”
In preparation for a verdict in the trial, Hochul said she had directed her administration to “closely coordinate” with local and federal law enforcement, adding that “we continue to monitor the situation.
“We are committed to protecting the safety of all New Yorkers and the integrity of our judicial system,” she continued.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams said that the criminal justice process must be respected.
“As we await the next steps, New Yorkers should rest assured that the NYPD (New York Police Department) stands ready to respond to any and all circumstances, including large-scale protests,” he said.
“While peaceful protests and assembly will always be protected, we will not be a city of any form of lawlessness,” Adams added.
Soon after the jury found him guilty, Trump condemned the verdict.
With his lead defense attorney, Todd Blanche, close behind him, Trump told reporters outside the Manhattan court house: “This was a disgrace.”
“Our whole country is being rigged”,” he said, adding that the nation “has gone to hell.
“We’re a nation in decline, serious decline. Millions and millions of people, pouring into our country right now, from prisons and from mental institutions, terrorists,” added Trump, falsely referring to Caribbean other migrants crossing the southern border of the United States. “And they’re taking over our country.
“I’m a very innocent man,” he continued about his guilty verdict. “And it’s OK. I’m fighting for our country. I’m fighting for our Constitution.”
