Today, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) released the following statement on the verdict in New York v. Trump:

“Extremist Democrats have undermined democracy by weaponizing the courts and abusing the judicial system to operate like a banana republic that targets their political opponents. 

“Today’s verdict is a devastating defeat for any American who believes in the critical legal tenet that justice is blind. It was clear from the beginning that President Biden teamed up with heavily biased DA Alvin Bragg to go after President Biden’s political opponent regardless of wrongdoing, while hardened criminals are set free in New York to commit more violent crimes against innocent citizens. 

“Disgraced Judge Merchan and his family showed heavy anti-Trump bias, and even donated to President Biden and raised money for Democrats off of President Trump’s prosecutions. The case relied on the testimony of Michael Cohen, a convicted perjurer who has lied to Congress, prosecutors, his family, and the American people, and even admitted to stealing from the Trump organization. And throughout the trial, the judge barred President Trump from speaking on these facts, blocked a former FEC commissioner from testifying on President Trump’s behalf, and hindered President Trump’s defense team. 

“This verdict will not withstand an appeal, and was only brought as an attempt to interfere with the 2024 election. The radical partisan Democrats behind this abuse of our justice system will not prevail. The voters will settle this on November 5th.”