Donald Trump Jr. made it clear Wednesday that “no matter the verdict” in his father’s hush money trial, the Trump campaign will win by emphasizing the case is an underhanded attempt to throw President Biden a lifeline in his reelection push.
Mr. Trump Jr. said he is confident the attempt to kneecap his father’s chances of returning to the White House will backfire in the fall election. Former President Donald Trump is the presumptive GOP nominee.
“No matter the verdict, the American people can see right through this entire fraudulent trial, which is nothing more than election interference,” Mr. Trump Jr. said in an exclusive statement to The Washington Times. “Team Biden spent months claiming they had nothing to do with this case, but by holding a campaign event outside the courthouse [Tuesday] to pressure the jury, they outed themselves, as it couldn’t be more clear that this is their entire election strategy.”
“I’m confident that in November, the American people will reject Joe Biden’s 3rd-world-like weaponization of the government,” he said.
The nation moved deeper into unfamiliar territory Wednesday as jury deliberations started in the criminal case against Mr. Trump in a Manhattan courthouse.
The former president is charged with falsifying business records to conceal payments made to porn star Stormy Daniels to keep her quiet about their alleged extramarital affair before the 2016 election.
Mr. Trump denies any wrongdoing. A verdict is possible this week.
The case has highlighted — and intensified — the deep political divisions between the nation’s pro-Trump and anti-Trump forces.
Mr. Trump and his allies have said the episode has exposed the underbelly of a federal government that weaponizes agencies against its foes. His critics say he has long skirted the law, and it is time to pay the piper.
Meanwhile, speculation has raged over how a guilty or not guilty verdict will influence Mr. Biden’s reelection hopes amid challenging poll numbers and lingering questions about his age.
What is clear is that team Trump — which like their boss has prided itself on punching back harder than they get hit — is preparing for political war.
“Expect Team Trump to go on the offensive, no matter the verdict,” said a Trump ally.
There were early signs of that approach Wednesday as Republicans attacked one of their favorite targets: Juan Merchan, the New York Supreme Court judge overseeing the Trump case.
Sen. J.D. Vance, the Ohio Republican considered a potential Trump running mate, sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland requesting that he open an investigation into Judge Merchan’s actions and “consider prosecution for any criminal wrongdoing.”
Mr. Vance said Judge Merchan’s “unconstitutional gag order violates President Trump’s First Amendment rights and is clearly illegal,” and said at the very least documents should be preserved so future administrations can “determine whether any illegal conduct transpired.”
“This case has shaken the people’s trust in our justice system,” he said. “We must rebuild it.”
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.