Following Donald J. Trump’s conviction, Republicans nationwide embraced his new status as a felon rather than distancing themselves from it. They chose to run on it, echoing Mr. Trump’s claims that the New York case was unjust. Republican candidates and party committees used the first criminal conviction of a former president as a rallying cry for campaign donations, congressional hearings, and voter turnout in November.
Prominent Republicans quickly aligned themselves with Mr. Trump, demonstrating unwavering loyalty to the former president. Their outrage was not just about supporting the nominee but also about tapping into the enthusiasm of a party base that remains devoted to Mr. Trump.
Representative Ronny Jackson of Texas, a close ally of Mr. Trump, noted, “The base has never been more motivated.”
In a speech at Trump Tower, Mr. Trump criticized his prosecutors as “sick people” and slammed the key witness in the case. The Trump campaign announced a significant increase in online fundraising following the guilty verdict, emphasizing Mr. Trump’s ability to rally Republican voters against perceived attacks on him.
Speaker Mike Johnson highlighted Mr. Trump as a symbol of resistance against government corruption and bureaucracy. There was little to no call among Republicans for Mr. Trump to step aside, with many Republicans doubling down on their support for him.
Republican candidates and groups reported a surge in campaign contributions, with online donations reaching new highs for the election cycle. Some Republicans, like Senator J.D. Vance and Senator Marco Rubio, vehemently defended Mr. Trump and urged supporters to donate to his cause.
House Republicans announced plans to investigate prosecutors targeting Mr. Trump, showcasing their unwavering support for the former president. The Supreme Court is also considering the extent of immunity for former presidents in criminal cases, including one against Mr. Trump related to the 2020 election.
The GOP’s response to Mr. Trump’s conviction was largely unified, with little dissent within the party. The criminal charges seemed to bring the party closer to the former president rather than driving a wedge between them.
Governor Ron DeSantis, who once struggled to respond to the New York indictment against Mr. Trump, now unequivocally denounced the outcome, calling it a “kangaroo court.”
