"A sham”: Texas Republicans defend Trump after guilty verdict " was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues. Sign up for The Brief , The Texas Tribune’s daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. WASHINGTON — Texas Republicans rallied to former President Donald Trump’s defense Thursday after a Manhattan jury convicted him on 34 felony charges related to falsifying business records to cover a sex scandal.

“This was a sham show trial. The Kangaroo Court will never stand on appeal. Americans deserve better than a sitting U.

S. President weaponizing our justice system against a political opponent— all to win an election,” Gov. Greg Abbott said on social media .

“We must FIRE Joe Biden in November.” The jury in a New York state court convicted Trump on all charges of falsifying business records to hide hush money payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. Daniels allegedly had an affair with Trump before he was president, which he denies.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg brought the charges against Trump, who is campaigning as the presumptive Republican nominee for this year’s presidential election. No president has ever been found guilty of a crime before today. Leaving the courthouse Thursday afternoon, Trump said he was the victim of a “rigged, disgraceful.