Representative Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) marked Father’s Day with a call for the Supreme Court to intervene in former President Donald Trump’s recent guilty verdict related to hush money payments.
Appearing virtually on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Donalds criticized what he termed the “weaponization of the justice system” and advocated for an expedited appeal process for Trump’s conviction.
He pointed to the political nature of the case, asserting that the legal proceedings in New York were orchestrated to influence elections.
“The only path to overturn this conviction will take two or three years, which underscores the political motives behind the case in lower Manhattan,” Donalds stated during the interview.
Trump was convicted on May 30 of 34 felony counts for falsifying business documents linked to payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has supported Trump’s appeal efforts, aligning with Donalds in calling for Supreme Court intervention.
Before appealing directly to the Supreme Court, Donalds criticized the justice system’s treatment of political leaders from opposing parties, citing a supposed “gentleman’s agreement” against such actions.
He contrasted Trump’s presidency with current legal actions, accusing authorities of targeting Trump unfairly.
Donalds, who is reportedly under consideration as a vice presidential nominee for Trump in 2024, said he was ready for higher office during the interview.
He highlighted his analytical skills and decision-making capabilities as qualifications for leadership.
The congressman is part of a broader conservative effort to leverage all available means to challenge Trump’s conviction, including proposed legislative actions aimed at shifting the case to federal courts and cutting funding to prosecutors involved in the charges against Trump.
As the legal battle continues, Donalds remains a prominent advocate within Team Trump, positioning himself as a potential ally in the former president’s ongoing political and legal maneuvers.
This stance underscores ongoing divisions over Trump’s legacy and legal challenges among political figures on Capitol Hill.
