Trump's Guilty Verdict Sparks Outrage from Republican Presidential Contenders

Former President Donald Trump's Republican presidential primary opponents have reacted with a range of emotions to his guilty verdict in a New York City trial, from outrage to silence.

Former President Donald Trump's Republican presidential primary opponents have offered varying reactions to the guilty verdict in his New York City trial, ranging from blasting Democrats for pursuing the charges against him to complete silence.

The jury found Trump guilty Thursday on all 34 counts of falsifying business records related to the hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels in the lead up to the 2016 presidential election.

South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott posted a video of himself on Twitter blasting what he called a "hoax," a "sham", and evidence of an "obsolete injustice justice system."

"DA Bragg and the judge should be ashamed of themselves. This isn't just ridiculous, this actually erodes the confidence that Americans have in the justice system. Unbelievable," Scott said.

"But good news is coming. DA Bragg, hear me clearly. You cannot silence the American people. You cannot stop us from voting for change. Joe Biden's injustice, Joe Biden's two-tier injustice system, weaponizing the justice system of the United States of America against a political opponent, un-American. Joe Biden, you're fired. We the people stand with Donald Trump."

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum wrote, "This verdict is a travesty of justice. The judge was a Biden donor. The prosecutors were Biden supporters. This Lawfare should scare every American. The American people will have their say in November."

Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy predicted the trial's outcome would ultimately backfire, referencing District Attorney Alvin Bragg's promise to "nail Trump," and Judge Juan Merchan's daughter being a "Democratic operative."

Former Vice President Mike Pence told Fox News Digital Trump's conviction was "an outrage and disservice to the nation."

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis wrote, "Today's verdict represents the culmination of a legal process that has been bent to the political will of the actors involved: a leftist prosecutor, a partisan judge and a jury reflective of one of the most liberal enclaves in America — all in an effort to 'get' Donald Trump."

"That this case — involving alleged misdemeanor business records violations from nearly a decade ago — was even brought is a testament to the political debasement of the justice system in places like New York City," he wrote.

"This is especially true considering this same district attorney routinely excuses criminal conduct in a way that has endangered law-abiding citizens in his jurisdiction."

Conservative commentator Larry Elder called the verdict an "outrage" and declared that "a monster has been unleashed."

Businessman Perry Johnson wrote, "Today marks a troubling chapter in American history. This was always a political maneuver, not a legal one. The Biden Administration's weaponization of the justice system is evident, showing that Democrats will go to any lengths to silence and eliminate political rivals."

Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, a staunch Trump critic, took a different, not-so-surprising approach, calling on the verdict to be respected.

"It is not easy to see a former President and the presumptive GOP nominee convicted of felony crimes; but the jury verdict should be respected. An appeal is in order but let's not diminish the significance of this verdict," he wrote.

Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, and former Texas Rep. Will Hurd have so far remained silent since the verdict was handed down.

Representatives of Haley did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. A spokesperson for Christie declined to comment.