New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is being urged to issue a pardon for Donald Trump by Democrat Rep. Dean Phillips, as the fallout from the former president’s conviction grows.
Phillips believes pardoning Trump will prevent him from becoming a martyr, something the lawmaker says could inadvertently boost his electoral chances, as Breitbart reports.
Making his plea, Phillips described Trump in unsparing terms, calling him a "serial liar, cheater, and philanderer" on social media. This came closely following the conclusion of Trump’s hush money trial. On Thursday, Trump was found guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records by a New York jury. These charges stemmed from efforts to cover up alleged extramarital affairs.
Phillips did not hold back, further questioning the logic behind martyring Trump over the payment made to a porn star. He emphasized that such legal entanglements are only fueling Trump's campaign momentum.
Phillips warned that the legal action against Trump is energizing his base and generating unprecedented sums of campaign cash. According to Phillips, this scenario could potentially result in an unexpected electoral advantage for Trump.
Following the conviction, Trump's campaign reported a historic fundraising surge. By Friday morning, small-dollar donations had reached $34.8 million. Trump's son, Eric Trump, highlighted in a Fox News interview that the campaign had pulled in nearly $53 million within a 24-hour period post-indictment, far surpassing previous records.
The fundraising figures cited by Eric Trump overshadow the previous single-day record set in 2016, which stood at $16 million. This remarkable financial response demonstrates the potency of Trump’s appeal among his supporters in the aftermath of legal challenges.
Rep. Phillips, who had earlier suspended his campaign for the Democratic nomination in March following Super Tuesday losses, took to social media to voice his concerns and recommendations. He reiterated his stance that pardoning Trump would be beneficial for the country, given the current political climate.
The spike in campaign contributions suggests that Trump’s loyal base remains highly engaged and ready to support him, regardless of ongoing legal problems.
Phillips' repeated calls for a pardon reflect his belief that the focus should be shifted away from what he views as misguided prosecutions. "You think pardoning is stupid? Making him a martyr over a payment to a porn star is stupid," he stated emphatically.
Trump has leveraged his legal battles to enhance his narrative as a victim of political persecution, thus resonating strongly with his followers. The financial windfall experienced by his campaign is a testament to this strategy’s effectiveness.
As the political drama unfolds, Hochul’s response to Rep. Phillips' appeal remains to be seen. The broader implications of this legal and political saga continue to reverberate.
In summary, Rep. Dean Phillips urges New York Gov. Kathy Hochul to pardon former President Donald Trump following his conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records. Phillips contends that prosecuting Trump further only serves to bolster his electoral chances by energizing his base.
