By Statehouse Report Staff | Donald Trump became the first former president convicted of a felony Thursday. A New York jury found him guilty on 34 felony counts of falsifying records to cover up a sex scandal that threatened his ascent to the White House in 2016.
Many of Trump’s GOP allies, including several S.C. leaders, quickly responded to the verdict, lining up behind Trump as he’s likely to continue to be the party’s Republican nominee for November’s presidential election.
U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., whose name has been touted as a possible running mate, called the trial a “sham” and “absolute injustice” on X. “You cannot silence the American people,” he added. “You cannot stop us from voting for change. Joe Biden — you’re fired. We the People stand with Donald J. Trump.”
On the other end of the political spectrum, U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., responded to the trial simply with, “The jury has spoken. Justice has prevailed,” on X.
U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., who has a primary June 11 against two GOP rivals in the First Congressional District, said on X, “This is a VERY dark day for American democracy when the law is weaponized against its own citizens. Now, it is in the hands of the American people to fix it.”
Other S.C. leaders such as Gov. Henry McMaster, Attorney General Alan Wilson and U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham also responded to the verdict, accusing the trial of being an attack on the former president and criticizing the judicial system. Trump is expected to appeal the verdict.
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McMaster signs gender-affirming care ban, child online safety bill. Gov. Henry McMaster officially signed the “Help Not Harm” bill, which prohibits healthcare professionals from knowingly providing gender-affirming care, like puberty-blocking drugs and hormones, to a person under 18-years-old.
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S.C. legislation that could have increased voter turnout, sped up results dies. Legislation that could have increased turnout in South Carolina’s local elections while speeding up Election Day tallying died in the final minutes of this year’s regular session, despite both chambers approving it overwhelmingly.
S.C. legislative panel approves $3.6M to protect 5,500 acres of land. A 4,400-acre stretch of land in Jasper County and a roughly 1,100-acre farm where scenes from “The Patriot” were filmed are set to be preserved with help from state taxes.
Solution for S.C. venues’ liquor liability woes stalled in Statehouse. Lawmakers called for a last-ditch, improbable attempt to put the issue of lawsuit reform on the docket for this summer.
S.C. lawmakers consider on-site childcare services for workers. South Carolina is considering a plan to offer on-site childcare services to some state workers, a move the Department of Social Services says would be for the first time ever.
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