‘I think they’re stretching the law,’ Arizona man says after verdict
Robbie Mayer of Phoenix said that he thinks Trump probably did what he was found guilty of but that the criminal case was “politically motivated.”
“I think he’s probably guilty of having done that, but I don’t think it was something that is a necessarily indictable offense,” said Mayer, who said he was a retired prosecutor and police officer.
“I think they’re stretching the law,” and “this is a federal law that he’s been convicted on by a state prosecutor,” he added.
Mayer, 75, said he voted for Trump in 2016 and 2020 but plans to vote for neither him nor Biden this year.
“I’m surprised by it,” he said. “I thought it would be a hung jury, or I thought it would take longer to come to a verdict.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul reacts to verdict
Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement that the verdict "reaffirms that no one is above the law."
"In preparation for a verdict in this trial, I directed my Administration to closely coordinate with local and federal law enforcement and we continue to monitor the situation," she said in the statement. "We are committed to protecting the safety of all New Yorkers and the integrity of our judicial system."
Senate Minority Whip John Thune says hush money case was 'politically motivated' from the start
Senate Minority Whip John Thune, R-S.D., who is vying to succeed Mitch McConnell as Senate Republican leader, echoed Republican colleagues' claims that the hush money case was driven by politics.
"This case was politically motivated from the beginning, and today’s verdict does nothing to absolve the partisan nature of this prosecution," Thune said on X. "Regardless of outcome, more and more Americans are realizing that we cannot survive four more years of Joe Biden."
Michael Cohen doesn't respond to questions about the verdict as he leaves apartment complex
Departing his apartment complex, Michael Cohen did not respond to NBC News' question about whether he had a reaction to the verdict.
Cohen was a key witness for prosecution.
Bragg says the 'only voice that matters' is the jury's
Bragg said the "only voice that matters" is the "voice of the jury."
He continued to reiterate "enormous gratitude" for the justice system and the jury.
Bragg said that "I did my job" and that there is now a federal court ruling on the legal theories of the case but that "most importantly" the jurors have spoken.
His remarks have concluded.
Trump's neighborhood partly locked down
Trump returned to his Manhattan high-rise with New York police shutting down traffic outside Trump Tower.
East 56th Street, between Madison and Fifth avenues, was closed after Trump returned to his occasional home.
About 75 people crowding the western corners of 56th Street and Fifth Avenue showered him with a mix of cheers and boos.
Trump walked to the northeast corner of 56th and Fifth, giving multiple waves and thumbs-ups behind metal barricades and in front of a Gucci advertisement. As he entered Trump Tower, his supporters and critics continued to yell at one another.
Trump announces news conference for tomorrow
Trump, who shortly after today's verdict said his legal battle was "far from over," announced plans to hold a news conference tomorrow in a post on Truth Social.
The news conference will be at 11 a.m. in the atrium of Trump Tower, the post said.
‘If I’d done it, I would be in jail,’ Atlanta man says of verdict
“If I’d done it, I would be in jail,” was DeMon DeLoatch’s reaction to the historic guilty verdict.
“So if he’s done the crime, do the time,” DeLoatch, 44, a Democrat, said when he was asked his reaction about the verdict in Atlanta, where he lives.
David Ederer, an engineer who moved to Atlanta from Buffalo, New York, about nine months ago, also said the guilty verdict was justified.
“I think it just goes to show that our systems of law and government have proven that they apply to everyone and not just people that can’t afford a lawyer,” said Ederer, 63, who said he is not involved in politics.
“He had all the money in the world to defend himself, and he was still found guilty from his peers — and that’s the way it should be,” Ederer said.
Ederer, who said he followed the trial, also was not buying claims that the proceedings were “rigged” or unfair.
“When anything doesn’t go his way, he just says it’s, you know, it’s false, it’s rigged against him. It wasn’t rigged against him,” Ederer said. “I mean, if anything, he got a very fair trial from that judge.”
“He’s been allowed to say so much about so many different topics that were just awful. And anybody else would have been in jail,” Ederer said, referring to a gag order that Trump violated in the case.
Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg addresses reporters, thanks jury
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who brought the charges against Trump, addressed reporters, thanked the jury for its service and said it performed a "fundamental" civic duty.
Twelve New Yorkers heard witness testimony and reviewed evidence, he said, adding that white-collar prosecution is core to work at the DA's office.
He thanked the prosecutors, saying they are "embodying the finest traditions of this office." He said that they are "model public servants" and that he is proud to serve alongside them. Bragg also expressed “deep gratitude” to the New York Police Department and court administrators for securing their safety.
He said they arrived at the trial "in the same manner as every other case" that comes to the courtroom.
Bars debut beer specials honoring Trump verdict
Bars in Washington, D.C., have started debuting specials related to today's verdict.
The Midlands, a beer garden, said it would offer discounts on some of its beers.
“Trump has been found guilty! We will be celebrating with 34 ounces of Justice,” it wrote on Instagram.