Local officials offer starkly different takes on Trump verdict

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Reaction to former President Trump’s guilty verdict on 34 counts of falsifying business records on Thursday is coming from all ends of the political spectrum locally.

Monroe County Republican Chairman Patrick Reilly said on Friday that the trial was the work of a partisan prosecutor and judge. Here is his statement:

“It was clear from the beginning that Donald Trump would never be given an impartial trial. All of us watched a partisan prosecutor and a far-left judge weaponize the legal system in an attempt to interfere with the 2024 election.”

“This trial was nothing short of a political witch hunt and will certainly be overturned on appeal. Instead of focusing on the real issues facing our state and nation, Democrats chose to weaponize the legal system for partisan gain, disregarding the principles of justice and fairness that should be at the core of our judicial process.”

“The actions taken by the prosecution and Judge Merchan in this case set a dangerous precedent. It is a stark reminder of the lengths certain political figures will go to target their opponents. As the Chairman of the Monroe County Republican Committee, I stand with President Trump and the countless New Yorkers who this sham trial has disenfranchised.”

Rep. Claudia Tenney said she considers the trial and verdict to be election interference. Tenney — a Republican who represents the 24th District, which includes Ontario, Livingston, Wayne, Seneca, Yates, Genesee and Wyoming counties among others — issued the following statement:

“This trial was never about the rule of law, it was a shameless attempt to silence President Trump. Biden is engaging in clear election interference against his opponent who is beating him in the polls. As a member of the New York Bar and daughter of a New York State Supreme Court Justice, I am appalled by the unethical politically motivated antics of Judge Merchan. He imposed unnecessary and unconstitutional gag orders on President Trump, effectively silencing him and hindering his ability to campaign freely. Judge Merchan engaged in obvious and unethical bias in a rush to get a guilty verdict, not to ensure justice under the law. Our country was founded on the principle of blind justice, but the Left has weaponized our legal system, trampling this core principle of our nation. This alarming abuse of power underscores a deeply troubling reality: we have a politicized, two-tiered system of justice in America.”

Democratic Rep. Joe Morelle — whose 25th District includes Monroe County and part of Orleans County — had a different view, issuing the following statement:

“Today’s conviction of Donald Trump makes crystal clear a fundamental truth of our democracy: no one —not even a former President of the United States — is above the law.

“I am grateful to the jury of everyday Americans who demonstrated exactly how our justice system is intended to work. It is my hope this brings us closer to uniting our country and restoring America’s faith in truth, integrity, and accountability.”