Wyoming’s three members of Congress said good riddance to the hush-money case against Donald Trump that ended Friday with New York state Judge Juan Merchan sentencing the president-elect to no punishment.
A jury convicted Trump of altering business records to make a payment to cover up an alleged affair with Stormy Daniels — a case Trump called a “witch hunt” targeting him for political reasons.
U.S. Sens. John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis, and Rep. Harriet Hageman, all Republicans, agreed with Trump’s view.
In response to Cowboy State Daily inquiries, the Wyoming federal lawmakers issued statements through their respective staffs Friday after the court proceedings.
“The American people overwhelmingly voted for President Trump,” said Barrasso, the Senate majority whip. “It’s clear to me that the country is ready to move on from the political prosecutions and weaponization of the justice system.”
Hageman said the whole pursuit of criminal charges against Trump was unfair.
“Our nation cannot continue to survive with a two-tiered justice system,” she said. “The political persecution of President Trump is reprehensible. Fortunately, the American people spoke loud and clear and President Trump will be sworn in again on Jan. 20, and there’s nothing these bench obstructionists can do to stop it.”
What It Means
Merchan’s sentencing order means Trump is a felon but will serve no jail time, pay no fines or incur other penalties. Trump, who attended the New York proceedings remotely from Florida alongside attorney Todd Blanche, said he will appeal the conviction.
Lummis’s statement to Cowboy State Daily referenced Trump’s 72.3% share of the Wyoming vote in the November election.
“The people of Wyoming — by the largest margin in the country — joined their fellow citizens in overwhelmingly electing Donald Trump to be President of the United States in November and are eager to see him sworn in on Jan. 20,” she said. “It’s time to move on from this witch-hunt and move forward.”
Trump has repeatedly characterized the case against him as a sham designed to damage his bid for a second term as president.
In turn, a prosecutor in court Friday blasted Trump's consistent rhetoric as an attack on judicial institutions and the rule of law, also noting that Merchan has cited Trump for contempt of court for violating a gag order.
‘A Very Terrible Experience’
Trump spoke at the sentencing, saying the case has been "a very terrible experience" and should never have been brought against him. He denied any wrongdoing.
Ten days ahead of Trump's inauguration, Merchan issued the sentence of unconditional discharge, preserving the guilty verdict without punishment.
Merchan said the legal protections afforded a president do not include the "power to erase a jury verdict." But he added the protections are "far-reaching" and that justice is served by not encumbering Trump's forthcoming presidency with jail or probation.
Wrapping up the approximately half-hour hearing, Merchan called an unconditional discharge the "only lawful sentence."
He told Trump: "Sir, I wish you godspeed as you assume your second term in office."
