CBS News
Congressional Republicans stick by Trump after conviction, call it a “travesty of justice”
Washington — Republicans derided the verdict in Donald Trump’s New York “hush money” criminal trial on Thursday, sticking by their presumptive nominee for president and claiming bias by the judge — and the jury — against the former president as he was found guilty on all 34 felony counts.
“Today is a shameful day in American history,” Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson said in a statement. “This was a purely political exercise, not a legal one.”
Trump was convicted by the jury on 34 felony counts for falsifying business records to conceal a $130,000 payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels to buy her silence about an alleged sexual encounter before the 2016 presidential election. The verdict came as the presidential election is well underway, setting up an unprecedented moment, where the presumptive Republican nominee will likely be a convicted felon — and could even be imprisoned during his campaign when
But prominent Republicans wasted little time before coming to the former president’s side. Sen. Marco Rubio, a Florida Republican who is among a list of individuals thought to be under consideration for Trump’s running mate, called the verdict “a complete travesty that makes a mockery of our system of justice.”
“Biden and the Trump deranged left will stop at nothing to remain in power,” Rubio said in a post on social media.
Sen. J.D. Vance, an Ohio Republican who is also believed to be on the shortlist and was among a group of GOP lawmakers who traveled to the Manhattan courthouse to support the former president, said the verdict is “an absolute miscarriage of justice.”
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
“The partisan slant of this jury pool shows why we ought to litigate politics at the ballot box and not in the courtroom,” he added in a post on social media.
Many Republicans have highlighted that the trial and jury selection took place in New York City, which is generally more liberal than other parts of the country. And some have accused the judge of being biased, claiming that his family has profited off of the case.
House Republican conference chair Elise Stefanik said the verdict “shows how corrupt and rigged the American justice system has become under Joe Biden.”
“I fully support President Trump appealing this decision and look forward to the New York Court of Appeals delivering justice and overturning this verdict,” Stefanik said in a statement, calling the case a “zombie case” brought by Mr. Biden’s allies to “save Biden’s failing campaign.” She added that Republicans “must redouble our efforts and work around the clock to ensure President Trump is victorious this November to save America from Biden’s failed Far Left Democrat agenda.”
Rep. Jim Jordan, an Ohio Republican who leads the House Judiciary Committee, called the verdict a “travesty of justice,” alleging that it was “designed to keep President Trump off the campaign trail.”
“Americans see through Democrats’ lawfare tactics and know President Trump will be vindicated on appeal,” Jordan said.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Georgia Republican, shared an image on social media of an upside-down flag.
Nikole Killion and Alan He contributed reporting.
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CBS News
Kamala Harris will speak with “60 Minutes” tomorrow. Here’s what to know for the interview.
Voters will get the chance to hear from Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday as she presents her case for why she should be president in a “60 Minutes” election special.
For decades, “60 Minutes” has featured both Republican and Democratic nominees for presidents, but this year, former President Donald Trump backed out after previously indicating he would be on the show. Correspondent Scott Pelley, who’d been set to interview Trump, will instead travel to Arizona’s Maricopa County, home to more than 60% of Arizona’s voters and a critical battleground in a key swing state.
One thing is certain about the election; with the U.S. deeply involved in both the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, whoever wins on Nov. 5 will become a wartime president.
What Harris will discuss
Israel’s war started one year ago after Hamas launched a surprise terror attack and correspondent Bill Whitaker will discuss the ongoing war with Harris.
Harris will also discuss the economy, immigration, her record as vice president and the differences between herself and Trump.
Democratic vice presidential candidate Gov. Tim Walz will also appear.
Whitaker joined the Democratic ticket on the campaign trail this week to gain insight into their platform’s priorities and values, and what the candidates believe voters should know.
Why Trump pulled out of the “60 Minutes” interview
Leading up to the candidate hour, Trump, through campaign spokespeople, was the first candidate to accept the “60 Minutes” request to be interviewed for the special, according to CBS News. It had been agreed that both candidates would receive equal time during the broadcast.
Trump last sat down with 60 Minutes in 2020. He walked out during the interview with Lesley Stahl. Trump referenced the incident on Tuesday night at a Milwaukee press conference when asked about his decision not to participate in the Oct. 7 “60 Minutes” election special.
“Well, right now, I went to – they came to me and would like me to do an interview, but first I want to get an apology, because the last time I did an interview with them, if you remember, they challenged me on the computer,” Trump said. “They said the ‘laptop from hell’ was from Russia, and I said it wasn’t from Russia. It was from Hunter, and I never got an apology, so I’m sort of waiting. I’d love to do ’60 Minutes.’ I do everything.”
The Republican nominee for president emphasized that he felt he was owed an apology from “60 Minutes.”
“Let’s see if they do it. I wouldn’t mind doing 60,” Trump continued. “I’ve done ’60 Minutes’ a lot.”
In a statement on Tuesday, Trump campaign communications director Steven Cheung said that Trump’s team had not agreed to an interview.
“Fake News,” Cheung said in a post on X. “60 Minutes begged for an interview, even after they were caught lying about Hunter Biden’s laptop back in 2020. There were initial discussions, but nothing was ever scheduled or locked in. They also insisted on doing live fact checking, which is unprecedented.”
Previous Trump, Harris appearances on 60 Minutes
Trump previously sat down with “60 Minutes'” Mike Wallace in 1985, Pelley in 2015 and Lesley Stahl twice in 2016, first in July of that year and then again in November of 2016. He also spoke with Stahl again in 2018 and 2020.
Harris previously sat down with Whitaker last year. She also was interviewed by Norah O’Donnell, “CBS Evening News” anchor and “60 Minutes” contributing correspondent, in 2020.
