Palmetto State News

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) joined Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and 27 of their Senate Republican colleagues in writing a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland condemning what they describe as the "evisceration of the American judicial process" following the conviction of former President Donald Trump in Manhattan.

In the letter, which can be read in full online, the senators argue that the conviction undermines constitutional protections afforded to defendants. "The conviction of President Trump in Manhattan is nothing short of the evisceration of the American judicial process," they wrote. The senators claim that Democrat prosecutors compromised due process rights guaranteed by the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments and violated Trump's Sixth Amendment right to be informed of accusations against him.

The letter also criticizes Judge Juan Merchan's role, suggesting bias due to his financial contributions to Democratic candidates and causes. The senators further allege that prosecutors escalated alleged misdemeanors related to business records into felonies without specifying a second crime necessary for such elevation. "Due process cannot exist when the defendant is accused of a secret crime," they stated.

The senators accuse the Biden Administration of being complicit in what they see as an attack on due process. They argue that New York State prosecutor Alvin Bragg overstepped his jurisdiction by potentially involving Federal Election Campaign Act violations, traditionally under federal jurisdiction.

"We condemn this show trial," the letter continues, emphasizing concerns about political persecution and threats to due process essential for maintaining a constitutional republic.

Senators Mike Lee (R-Utah), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), JD Vance (R-Ohio), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Deb Fischer(R-Neb.) and Josh Hawley(R-Mo.) signed onto the letter.