June 1—ANDERSON — The guilty verdict in Donald J. Trump’s hush money trial has cemented the former president’s reputation in the minds of some local people.
On Thursday, Trump was found guilty of 34 charges stemming from a scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election through a hush money payment to a porn actor who claimed the two had sex.
North Anderson resident Brian Ward viewed the trial, as well as three others involving Trump, as a sham.
“It’s political warfare,” he said. ‘There is no crime. It’s just political warfare.
“Has he been a perfect person? No, but are there crimes, are there crimes? Absolutely not.”
The hush money case and all of Trump’s other cases, Ward believes, should make Americans think about their legal system.
He viewed the verdict as the result of a “kangaroo court,” he said. The presiding judge, Juan Merchan, Ward claimed, “was bought and paid for.”
“He deserves to be suspended,” Ward said. “The judge had the nerve to say, ‘I’ll tell you what he’s guilty of, I’ll give you a list, you choose what he’s guilty of.'”
Others had more nuanced opinions about the verdict.
Kevin Muhammad, a local independent, believes Trump is being used as a scapegoat for both parties.
“The Democrats and Republicans work together behind closed doors, but in public they find their way to get their sacrificial lamb,” he said.
“I believe that all presidents are doing their jobs well, every single one of them,” he added.
Both Muhammad and Ward believe the trials will be a springboard for Trump’s campaign.
The first said he’s not excited about that, but he’s happy to see people’s finances improving — especially Black people’s.
Others reacted more favorably to the verdict.
Rosie Davis, a black woman who lives on the west side of Anderson, believes Trump should go to prison.
“I am for justice,” she said. “To be justified, he must be found guilty.”
Justin Alley, another independent, said he had not followed the process closely. All he knew was that Trump was found guilty. The verdict didn’t really interest him and he said it wouldn’t change the upcoming elections.
“I would be surprised if he wasn’t neck and neck (with Biden),” Alley said.
Like Mohammed, Alley is not a fan of Trump, but neither is he a fan of Biden. He believes both candidates are bad choices for America.
Their advanced age and previous contacts disqualify both candidates, he said.
“I think people are tired of the same old status quo,” Alley said.
Follow Caleb Amick on Twitter @AmickCaleb. Contact him at caleb.amick@heraldbulletin.com or 765-648-4254.
