WASHINGTON – Oklahoma’s seven-member congressional delegation offered statements of support for former President Donald Trump in the wake of his conviction in a New York hush money trial.
A jury found the former President guilty on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records on Thursday in an attempt to influence the results of the 2016 presidential election, marking the first-ever criminal conviction of a former U.S. president.
The 12 jurors concluded Trump violated the New York state law by falsifying records to cover up “hush money” paid to adult film star Stormy Daniels in exchange for silence after a sexual encounter with Trump in 2006.
Throughout the trial, the presumptive Republican nominee for president received steady support from his party’s congressional members. Several Republican lawmakers, including House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), made appearances at the Manhattan courthouse as the trial entered its final days.
After the jury announced its verdict, the Speaker posted on X, arguing that the conviction will help Trump in his campaign for the presidency.
“The American people see this as lawfare, and they know it is wrong—and dangerous. President Trump will rightfully appeal this absurd verdict—and he WILL WIN!” Johnson said.
U.S. Rep. Tom Cole (R-Moore), the chair of the House Appropriations Committee, called the verdict a weaponization of the court system in a post on social media.
“Thankfully President Trump is a fighter and will appeal and move forward. This is a sad example of political gamesmanship. We must restore faith in our Judicial system” Cole said.
In a statement, Josh Brecheen, (R-Coal County) the delegation’s only member of the Freedom Caucus, called the conviction “bogus,” affirming his support for former President Trump.
“Today is a dark day for our country and is an embarrassment to our judicial system. This is clear election interference by Democrats in liberal New York City. Americans will not forget this,” Brecheen said.
U.S. Rep. Kevin Hern (R-Tulsa) also took to social media Thursday evening, offering a statement of support and frustration with the outcome of former President Trump’s trial.
“This is a dark day in our Nation’s history. Democrats would rather lock up their political opponent than win at the ballot box. This is the United States of America, not some banana republic,” Hern wrote in a post on X.
Similarly, U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas (R-Cheyenne), the senior member of the state’s delegation to Congress, posted that like many others, he was not surprised by the verdict.
“No one can be surprised by the political decision from the court in New York today,” Lucas said. “Thank goodness President Trump is a fighter. He will not let this stop his efforts to save America.”
U.S. Rep. Stephanie Bice (R-Oklahoma City) urged the former president to appeal the conviction in a post on X.
“Today’s decision is the result of a long and politically driven process due to the weaponization of our justice system. President Trump must appeal,” Bice said.
The state’s two GOP senators also decried the verdict. Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Stilwell), wrote on social media calling the conviction a sham.
“This is a very dark day in American history. The far-Left has unleashed a disgraceful, unprecedented assault on the leading Republican candidate for president. President Trump will fight this sham of a conviction, and the American people will have the ultimate word this November,” Mullin said.
Senior Sen. James Lankford (R-Oklahoma City), affirmed his support for the former president in a post on X.
“The American people will be the judge November 5. Everyone should expect equal justice under the law, free from bias or interference,” Lankford said.
Alongside the Oklahoma congressional delegation, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt posted his support on X, writing that the verdict is a disservice to elected officials.
“Regardless who’s in power, this disrespects the Office of the President. This creates chaos & leads to a lack of trust in government,” Stitt said.
Despite this felony conviction, former President Trump can still run for and serve as president if elected.
The charges against Trump are Class E felonies, categorized as least serious under New York law. Factors such as age and lack of prior offenses could also benefit the former president in sentencing.
Judge Juan Merchan will decide Trump’s sentencing, which could include fines, restitution, probation and jail time, in a sentencing hearing July 11, just 4 days before the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
Gaylord News is a reporting project of the University of Oklahoma Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication. For more stories by Gaylord News go to GaylordNews.net.
