Democratic Lawmakers Silent After Trump’s Sentencing
President-elect Donald Trump was sentenced on Friday after being found guilty on 34 charges related to falsifying business records in May. Despite previously speaking out on the case, Democratic lawmakers were noticeably silent following the sentencing. The sentence handed down to Trump was an unconditional discharge, meaning he will not face any jail time, fine, or probation.
In contrast, Democratic lawmakers had reacted strongly to the initial guilty verdict, with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries writing that “responsible leadership requires the verdict to be respected” and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez stating that “nobody is above the law.” However, a statement from one Democratic congresswoman, Rep. Jasmine Crockett, criticized the sentencing, saying, “There is a two-tiered system of justice in this country, and Donald Trump lives on the tier where he gets to walk into the White House without spending a single day in jail or being put on probation after being convicted of 34 felonies.”
On the other hand, Republicans were quick to respond to the sentencing. Senator Lindsey Graham said, “I have no respect for the process being used in New York. I find the judge and prosecutor’s motives to be dripping with politics. This is a sad day for America.” Trump himself expressed his disappointment with the decision, stating that he would appeal the conviction.
The sentencing comes just days before Trump is set to be sworn into office on January 20. It remains to be seen how this development will impact his presidency and the country as a whole.