
Vulnerable Republicans are largely falling in line behind former President Donald Trump despite the danger his conviction presents to Republican control of Congress next year.
The Thursday verdict, related to Trump’s efforts to conceal a hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election, could shape the presidential race in unpredictable ways. The conviction might motivate turnout among Republicans but is seen as a turnoff to voters in the suburbs.
Nonetheless, vulnerable incumbents appear to be embracing the guilty verdict, hoping Trump’s claim that he is the victim of a political prosecution will resonate in their states and districts.
“This is how we are going to do politics now? Not through spirited debates, but by weaponizing the justice and court system to attack a political rival right before the election?” asked Rep. Marc Moli …