Utah's leading Republicans weigh in after Trump verdict

Utah's top elected officials — overwhelmingly Republican — began to weigh in Thursday evening after a New York jury convicted former President Trump of all 34 criminal counts in his hush-money trial.

The big picture: Although Trump won Utah by a 20-point margin in 2020, Utah voters have historically been cooler on him than on other Republicans.

• The culture is also big on obedience , so blasting a judge or jury on the heels of a criminal conviction might be needlessly risky here.

Yes, but: The GOP base is firmly in Trump's corner — and has become less apologetic since the "Grab 'em by the p****" days of 2016.

Driving the news: Gov. Spencer Cox responded to an Axios query Thursday evening, calling it "a dark day for our country" and arguing that the charges shouldn't have been filed.

• U.S. Rep. Burgess Owens blamed the verdict on "a political and biased judge," though the verdict was decided by a jury.

Zoom in: A few other Utah political names came out swinging:

• "A sad day for America," U.S. Sen. Mike Lee wrote in a statement posted to X, in which he blamed "unclear charges and irregular jury instructions" and characterized the case as a "political prosecution."
• State Sen. Todd Weiler (R-Kaysville) called it the "weaponization of the justice system."
• Riverton Mayor Trent Staggs, who was endorsed by Trump before becoming the GOP convention nominee for Romney's seat ahead of June's primary, excoriated what he described as a "3rd world 'judicial' system."
• Former House Speaker Brad Wilson , also running for Romney's seat, called the verdict "a mockery of our criminal justice system."

Catch up quick: Lee has been floated as a possible vice presidential candidate in Trump's re-election campaign.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to include comments from Cox and Owens.

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