Trump adviser blasts College Republicans statement on New York verdict

Former President Trump’s adviser Chris LaCivita knocked College Republicans for issuing a statement arguing the outcome of Trump’s New York trial, in which he was convicted on 34 felony counts, should be respected.

“Today’s convictions are the result of a politically motivated prosecution, but a verdict was handed down by jurors whose decisions were made in accordance with our criminal justice system. As such, the outcome of this trial should be respected. Just like the decision of voters on November 5th,” College Republicans said in a post on the social platform X. 

“Opinions are like a‑‑holes …everyone has one ….” LaCivita replied.

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), a staunch Trump ally, piled on. 

“I’m sorry, but this is a horrendously bad take. The verdict should be condemned as a stain on our nation and our justice system. It was the outgrowth of a rigged, corrupt process,” Gaetz wrote. 

Trump became the first former president to be convicted of a felony when a Manhattan jury decided Thursday to convict him on all counts in the case related to a hush money payment made in 2016. He quickly blasted the verdict as “rigged” and labeled himself “a very innocent man” — and his team moved to raise money off the jury’s decision as he runs to get back to the White House. 

Trump is set to face sentencing in July, just before the Republican National Convention. A felony conviction isn’t a barrier to seeking the presidency, but the development is set to roil the race as Trump readies for a rematch with President Biden in November. 

After former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R), who is running for the Senate, said the verdict should be respected “regardless” of the outcome, LaCivita argued Hogan had just ended his campaign.