Trump rages against conviction and calls America a 'fascist state'

Republican presidential candidate vows to appeal after being found guilty of 34 criminal charges

Former US president and convicted felon Donald Trump on Friday attacked the judge who oversaw his criminal case, said America is a “fascist state” and falsely asserted the prosecution had been engineered by the Biden administration.

Trump's comments at Trump Tower in New York came a day after jurors found him guilty of 34 criminal charges, making him the first president in US history to become a convicted felon.

He repeatedly professed his innocence while addressing his conviction on the felony counts in a case that accused him of trying to influence the 2016 presidential election by making illegal hush money payments to an adult film actress.

“There was no crime here,” 77-year-old Trump said, vowing to appeal against the verdict.

“I paid a lawyer, totally legal. I paid a lawyer, a legal expense,” he said while attempting to explain why he was convicted.

He went on to say: “We're living in a fascist state,” and attacked the judge who oversaw the case as “conflicted” and “crooked”.

Trump remains under a gag order and has been threatened with jail if he violates it. Some of his rhetoric about witnesses in the trial veered perilously close to violating the order.

He is locked in a tight race with President Joe Biden ahead of the November 5 election and repeatedly accused his rival of orchestrating the criminal prosecution.

There is no evidence the Biden administration had any contact with prosecutors in the case.

Trump took multiple shots at Mr Biden during his rambling, 40-minute tirade that at times sounded like a campaign event.

“I'm the leading candidate. I'm leading Biden by a lot and I'm leading the Republicans to the point where that's over,” he said.

“So I'm the leading person for president and I'm under a gag order by a man that can't put two sentences together, given by a court and they are in total conjunction with the White House and the [Department of Justice] just so you understand. This is all done by Biden and his people.”

Trump said the trial was “very unfair” and blamed “Washington” for his situation and sought to portray himself as a victim.

“I'm out there and I don't mind being out there because I'm doing something for this country and I'm doing something for our Constitution,” he said.

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“It's very important and goes far beyond me. This can't be allowed to happen to other presidents.”

He called the system “rigged” against him, and after the verdict was announced, he declared that he was “a political prisoner” in an online campaign advert.

Mr Biden hit back against Trump's allegations, defending America's legal system.

“Our justice system has endured for nearly 250 years and it literally is the cornerstone of America,” Mr Biden said.

He went on to slam Trump for questioning the justice system.

“It's reckless, it's dangerous. It's irresponsible for anyone to say this was rigged, just because they don't like the verdict,” he said.

At the heart of the case was the charge that Trump's former fixer Michael Cohen paid $130,000 to adult film star Stormy Daniels – and then tried to cover it up – to ensure her silence about their alleged one-night stand in the lead-up to the 2016 election. Trump denies he slept with Daniels.

Falsifying business records carries a prison sentence of up to four years. But as a first-time offender, it is unlikely that New York prosecutors will seek a jail term.

Sentencing is scheduled for July 11 – only days before Trump is expected to be nominated as the Republican candidate for the presidential election.

The guilty verdict does not prevent Trump from the rematch with Mr Biden on November 5 for a second term in the White House.

Arab-American reaction

Victor Shiblie, a Palestinian American and publisher of The Washington Diplomat, said it is too soon to say how Trump's conviction will impact the November election and how Arab Americans will respond.

“Anybody who's looked at American elections knows that there's a long way to go, and public opinion can sway very quickly, and even at the last minute,” Mr Shiblie told The National.

He said that historically, the reason Arab Americans have voted for Democrats is over foreign policy, but this could change, given the anger against Mr Biden over his handling of the Israel-Gaza war.

“Biden has failed them,” Mr Shiblie said. “So now people are re-evaluating. Most don’t want to vote for Trump, but some will.”

Donald Trump's criminal trial in New York – in pictures

Former US president and Republican candidate Donald Trump arrives to speak to the press after he was convicted in his criminal trial in New York. AFP

Trump stands surrounded by his legal team as he exits the courtroom. AFP

A television screen shows the news of the verdict in Trump's criminal trial. Reuters

A man holds a placard outside Manhattan criminal court following the verdict. Reuters

A demonstrator holds a placard outside the court following the verdict. Reuters

Trump alongside his lawyer Todd Blanche ahead of jury deliberations during his criminal trial for allegedly covering up hush-money payments. AFP

Representative Maria Elvira Salazar was one of many politicians who attended the New York trial to show support for Trump. EPA

A court sketch of Robert Costello being cross-examined by prosecutor Susan Hoffinger before Judge Juan Merchan. Reuters

A court sketch of Trump yawning during the trial. Media outlets reported the former president has often been seen keeping his eyes closed during proceedings. Reuters

Michael Cohen, former lawyer and fixer for Trump, testified against the former president. Reuters

Stormy Daniels, the adult film star who allegedly received a hush-money payment from the Trump campaign in 2016, leaves court. AFP

A sketch shows jurors taking notes as Ms Daniels testifies on May 7. Elizabeth Williams / AP

Judge Juan Merchan is presiding over Trump's case. AP

Eric Trump, Donald Trump Jr and the former president's daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, arrive at the court. Reuters

Trump supporters gather near the courthouse in New York. Getty Images / AFP

Trump supporters post signs as they gather near the courthouse during the trial. Getty Images / AFP

Members of the media wait in front of the courthouse in Manhattan. Getty Images / AFP

Trump speaks during a rally in the South Bronx in New York during a day off from his trial. Getty Images / AFP

Trump awaits the start of his trial earlier in the week in New York. AP