HONOLULU (KHON2) — Former president Donald Trump is now a convicted felon.
On Thursday, a New York jury found him guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records.
Prosecutors convinced jurors that Trump falsified the records to cover up a hush money scheme to silence an adult film actress from going public with her story that she’d had an affair with Trump in 2006.
Sentencing is scheduled for July 11, and could result in a fine, probation, or experts say the least likely option is jail time.
“This was a rigged, disgraceful trial,” Trump said after the verdict. “The real verdict is going to be November 5, by the people, and they know what happened here and everybody knows what happened here. You have a Soros-backed D.A. and the whole thing, we didn’t do anything wrong. I’m a very innocent man, and it’s okay I’m fighting for our country. I’m fighting for our constitution, our whole country is being rigged right now.”
Trump’s legal team is expected to appeal the verdict, which would delay sentencing, possibly until after the election.
The Biden campaign applauds the verdict saying in a statement, “In New York today, we saw that no one is above the law.”
Hawaii republicans told KHON2 that they saw this verdict coming.
“The whole thing is rigged,” said Rep. Diamond Garcia (R) Varona Village, Ewa, Kapolei. “The jury pool was 80-90 percent democrat, Trump had very low numbers in that vicinity, we knew where this was going. It’s a sad day for America.”
KHON2 asked if him being a convicted felon changed the views of the Hawaii Republican party.
“I think the change means we’re even more aggressive to make sure come November 5, Trump wins, and I think there’s a big possibility of seeing that gap here in Hawaii close,” Rep. Garcia added stating more people in Hawaii are voting Republican.
“I think it’s inappropriate to call the judge corrupt,” Gov. Josh Green said after a press conference on Thursday when asked about Trump’s remarks following the verdict. “That does undermine people’s faith in our democracy and judicial system, no one should ever say that unless they can back it up.”
The chair of the state Democratic Party, who is also an attorney, said Thursday was an example of how the justice system works in America.
“I want to remind everyone that this was our justice system in action,” said Derek Turbin. “First this went through a grand jury of impartial citizens, they determined there was enough evidence to move forward with the 34 felony counts against Mr. Trump, and then we had a six week trial that took place where both sides had the chance to put all their evidence forth and an impartial jury of 12 peers determined that Mr. Trump should be a convicted felon and should be convicted upon 34 felony counts.”
“As someone who has great respect and understanding of the judiciary system, I want to urge everyone who is falling into this trap thinking that it’s biased, thinking this is a conspiracy against them, that this is our judiciary system in action and the judiciary system determined Mr. Trump improperly paid $130,000 to an adult film start to cover up an extra marital affair and this payment was made in fraudulent ways with the effort to improperly influence the 2016 election,” Turbin continued.
Trump still faces charges in two cases, one in Florida and the other in Washington D.C.
“I urge everyone to look at the facts and the structure of our judicial system which is a fair and just system and that system was at work to show that no one is above the law, including the former president,” Turbin added.
The Republican party said they’re confident views won’t change.
“You’re going to see an uprising across the nation,” said Hawaii Republican Party Chair Tamara McKay. “I think Trump rallies will be more full, and more active, and proactive and start happening now rather than later.”
“We’re going to be more aggressive to pound the pavement to not only make America, but Hawaii great again too,” said Garcia.
The Hawaii Office of Elections said there is a state law banning candidates who are convicted of a felony from running for office, but there is no federal law banning candidacy on felons for presidential candidates.
The GOP convention in Hawaii is July 15-18.