Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has openly criticized the legal case against President Donald Trump, arguing that the charges are politically motivated. Speaking on “Real Time with Bill Maher,” Cuomo, who previously served as New York’s Attorney General, asserted that the case would not have been initiated if Trump were not involved.
“The attorney general’s case in New York, frankly, should have never been brought,” Cuomo stated during his Friday appearance. “If his name was not Donald Trump and he wasn’t running for president — I’m the former AG [attorney general] in New York — I’m telling you, that case would have never been brought. And that’s what’s offensive to people.”
Cuomo emphasized the potential damage to public trust in the judicial system, suggesting the case’s political nature is troubling. “And it should be [offensive], because if there’s anything left, it’s belief in the justice system,” he added.
In late May, Trump became the first former U.S. president convicted of felony crimes when a New York jury found him guilty of 34 charges. These charges relate to a scheme to influence the 2016 election through a payment to a porn actor who claimed to have had an affair with Trump. Judge Juan M. Merchan has set the sentencing date for July 11, just before the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, where Trump is expected to be formally nominated by the GOP.
Cuomo warned that the trial could undermine democracy. “When you have this country believing you are playing politics with the justice system and you’re trying to put people in jail or convict them for political reasons, then we have a real problem,” he explained.
The case has intensified the national debate on the influence of politics within the legal system. While some argue that prosecuting Trump is crucial, others, like Cuomo, fear that the prosecution may erode trust in judicial impartiality. As the sentencing date nears, the division within the country remains stark, with both sides holding firm to their perspectives on the case’s legitimacy and its broader implications for democracy.
