(ConservativeHub.com) – On Thursday, May 30, breaking his silence about the Presidential race and the tensions between himself and former President Donald Trump, Senate Republican Leader Mitch Connell (Kentucky) came to Trump’s defense.
Hours after the 12-person jury reached a guilty verdict against the former President in the business records case, McConnell claimed Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg should not have pursued the case, predicting that Trump’s conviction would ultimately be overturned on appeal.
Taking to X, McConnell wrote that the charges shouldn’t have been brought against Trump “in the first place,” adding that at appeal the conviction would not stand.
The Hill reported that McConnell speaking up after historically refusing to weigh in on the trial could signify that the GOP will unify behind Trump following his conviction.
The Republican Senate Leader has reportedly largely stayed quiet on the issue. Last year, McConnell was notably silent when Trump pleaded not guilty to the 34 felony counts brought by the Manhattan DA.
The report indicated that the change in the GOP’s political landscape could be responsible for the shift. Last year, Trump’s critics within the Republican Party had staked their hopes on Florida Governor Ron DeSantis or someone else emerging as the favorite for the Presidential nomination. But DeSantis, alongside other competitors, were ultimately beaten by Trump.
McConnell has been joined by other Trump critics in his defense of the former President following Thursday’s verdict.
Republican Senator Susan Collins (Maine), a moderate, and Senate Republican Whip John Thune (South Dakota), who isn’t close to Trump, have both claimed the case against him to be politically motivated.
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