In an explosive legal battle, former President Trump was convicted of 34 counts concerning the falsification of business records linked to payments to Stormy Daniels, which his attorney vows to appeal, alleging political motivation.
On May 30, 2024, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced the conviction of former President Donald Trump on multiple counts of falsifying business records. These charges relate to concealed payments made to Stormy Daniels, aiming to influence the outcome of the 2016 Presidential Election.
Fox News reported that Will Scharf, Trump's lawyer and currently campaigning for Missouri attorney general, expressed severe criticism towards the U.S. legal system during this announcement.
He suggested that the case against Trump was intensified and rushed due to political motivations, notably after Trump declared his intent to run in the upcoming presidential election.
In a heated exchange on ABC's "This Week," Scharf directly confronted host George Stephanopoulos about the political influences he perceived were at play.
Pointing to Matthew Colangelo, a former DOJ official under Biden, standing beside DA Bragg during the announcement, Scharf implied a deep political interference.
"I vehemently disagree that the district attorney in New York was not politically motivated here, and I vehemently disagree that President Biden and his political allies aren’t up to their necks in this prosecution," Scharf argued, stressing the alleged involvement of Biden's administration in orchestrating the legal action against Trump.
Stephanopoulos, challenging Scharf’s assertions, denied any evidence of Biden’s involvement. "There’s no evidence here of that. Sir, there’s no – there’s not – I'm not going to let you continue to say that. There’s just zero going to work out," the host countered, refocusing the conversation on the legal proceedings and sentencing aspects.
Despite facing stiff opposition and skepticism, Scharf remained adamant about the political angles, asserting that the presence of Colangelo highlighted potential biases.
"You want to talk about political coordination, George, it’s right there in front of you," Scharf retorted, emphasizing the controversial nature of the trial.
"This has nothing to do – this has nothing to do – no, it’s not. This has nothing to do with President Biden," Stephanopoulos replied, trying to steer the conversation towards the factual elements of the trial rather than political implications.
Scharf, unwavering, detailed the next steps in the legal journey. "We’re going to vigorously challenge this case on appeal. I don’t think President Trump is going to end up being subject to any sentence whatsoever," he confidently declared.
Scharf further mentioned their preparedness to elevate the case to the U.S. Supreme Court if necessary, to "vindicate President Trump’s rights."
Amidst plans to challenge the conviction, Scharf also coined the term "zombie case," suggesting that the case had been unfairly resurrected against Trump in a rushed manner following his declaration for a new presidential run.
This term quickly captured media attention and added a layer of public intrigue and criticism towards the prosecution's timing and intent.
In conclusion, Trump’s conviction has opened a significant chapter in U.S. legal and political history, with his team gearing up for a robust appeal.
The former president’s legal defense disapproves of the handling and timing of the prosecution, hinting at a complex amalgam of political and legal battles lying ahead. They remain prepared to take their grievances to the highest court to seek a turn-around in what they view as a politically charged case.