Convicted Felon Donald Trump Still Garners Support Among RivCo's GOP

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Former state Sen. Melissa Melendez of Lake Elsinore has consistently supported Donald Trump — from his campaign that led to a successful 2016 presidential bid right up to the day he was convicted on 34 felony counts.

"I've got news for you, a guilty verdict isn't going to keep Donald Trump from being the 47th president," Melendez said Thursday via Twitter. "You may want to get used to that idea now. MAGA."

She isn't alone.

"The Trump trial and verdict are a disgrace," said Trump ally Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Temecula).

There was never any doubt about Issa's position. Amid the former president's historic legal woes, Issa issued an unambiguous statement in January: "Donald Trump has my full and complete endorsement."

A Manhattan jury of five women and seven men on Thursday found the former president guilty of all 34 counts of falsifying business records. Prosecutors said the crimes were election interference, undertaken by Trump for the sake of garnering a White House win.

Trump's actions perpetrated fraud on the American people, according to prosecutors.

Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Corona) spun it differently. Like many Trump supporters, he argues the allegations against the former president and the trial were politically motivated to derail another White House win.

"Americans who believe that justice should be blind to politics and administered equally should be concerned with today's outcome," Calvert said Thursday. "It's alarming that our criminal justice system continues to be taken advantage of by partisan prosecutors, who want to use the power of their office to influence our democratic elections."

However, there are Inland Empire lawmakers who are Trump critics. They say the trial was American democracy at work and further proof of the former president's shady dealings and misconduct.

"Guilty on all 34 counts," Rep. Mark Takano (D-Riverside) said via Facebook. "Today's decision shows that no one, even a former president, is above the rule of law."

Trump is scheduled for sentencing on July 11, just days before the Republican National Convention convenes. The presumptive GOP presidential nominee is facing a prison term of up to four years. He remains free for now.

Unsurprisingly, Trump has vowed to appeal Thursday's verdict.

Though May 30, 2024, will go down in history, Americans will ultimately weigh in come November. Do they want an unpopular incumbent or a convicted criminal leading the country?

Related: Eric Trump Headlines Fundraiser In Temecula For Conservative PAC