'A sham': Iowa Republican leaders quickly condemn Trump guilty verdict on 34 felony counts

Iowa Republicans quickly lined up in support of former Republican President Donald Trump after a New York jury found him guilty on all 34 felony counts in a New York hush money trial — led by Gov. Kim Reynolds, who dismissed the trial as "a sham."

“America saw this trial for what it was, a sham," she said in the statement soon after the verdict. "For years, Democrats like Alvin Bragg have been trying to put President Trump in jail with complete disregard for our democracy and the will of the American people. The only verdict that matters is the one at the ballot box in November where the American people will elect President Trump again.”

Kollin Crompton, a spokesperson for Reynolds, declined to answer follow-up questions about why the governor does not believe the case was legitimate.

"Our statement stands for itself," he said.

Iowa Democrats, conversely, praised the jury and its verdict.

More: Former President Donald Trump found guilty on all counts in hush money case: Live updates

The trial centered on allegations that Trump falsified business records to hide a hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 presidential election.

Trump is the first former U.S. president convicted of a felony.

What's next for Donald Trump after guilty verdict?

He is set to be sentenced July 11, just days before the Republican National Convention is set to meet to formally choose him as the party's nominee.

Trump can still run for and serve as president, despite the convictions.

Trump also faces felony charges in three other criminal cases, two in federal court and one in state court in Georgia.

One federal case alleges crimes related to mishandling classified documents after Trump left office, while another centers on Trump's attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. The Georgia charges relate to Trump's attempts to overturn the 2020 election in that state.

'Speechless': Swing state voters react to Donald Trump's guilty verdict

Those cases are unlikely to go to trial before the November presidential election. Trump has pleaded not guilty to all counts.

Here's what other Iowa leaders and groups had to say about Trump's felony conviction:

Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart: 'No one is above the law'

"Today, a jury of his peers showed the nation that no one is above the law, not even Donald Trump," Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart said in a statement.

"Voting is the only way to keep Trump out of office," she added, encouraging Iowans to get involved with the Iowa Democratic Party and to make a plan to vote by visiting the party's website.

Attorney General Brenna Bird: 'Dark day in American history'

"Today is a dark day in American history," said Attorney General Brenna Bird, a Republican who endorsed Trump ahead of the Iowa Caucuses and traveled to New York to support him during the trial.

"Case in point why politics should have absolutely no place in prosecutions," she said in a statement. "The American people, not a court, should decide who the next leader of the free world will be. President Donald Trump deserves better."

Auditor Rob Sand: 'Jurors deserve our thanks and respect'

State Auditor Rob Sand, a former prosecutor in the Iowa attorney general's office and the only Democrat in statewide office in Iowa, praised the jury system.

"In seven years as an assistant attorney general, I found juries in both liberal and conservative counties took the work seriously and tried to do right," Sand said in a statement. "Jurors deserve our thanks and respect."

Iowa Republican Chair Jeff Kaufmann: 'A disgrace to the rule of law'

Republican Party of Iowa Chair Jeff Kaufmann blasted the verdict. He criticized the Democratic Party for "mobilizing the federal government for political gain," although the charges Trump was convicted of Thursday were brought at the state level.

"The Democrat Party is lost as we know it, to the point of no return. This decision is a disgrace to the rule of law. It's disgusting they are mobilizing the federal government for political gain," Kaufmann said in a statement. "A corrupt Soros-funded prosecutor just carried out the will of the Democrats who are terrified of President Trump returning to the White House. With sentencing scheduled right before the GOP Convention in Milwaukee, the corruption and malice is as prevalent as ever here. Shameful."

US Sen. Joni Ernst: 'Iowans are SICK of the political persecution'

"These unprecedented politicized courtroom tactics prove Democrats are running scared ahead of this November," Republican U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst wrote on social media. "Iowans are SICK of the political persecution of Donald J. Trump."

Ernst shared a second statement on social media, saying, "this was never about justice. It was always about politics."

"Americans see through Democrats’ weaponization of our justice system and this sham trial as a desperate attempt to persecute Trump and block his re-election," she said in the statement.

US Sen. Chuck Grassley: 'I expect the case to be overturned'

Republican U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley said the jury's verdict is an example of the weaponization of the justice system.

"Today’s decision is another example of leftist activist prosecutors weaponizing the judicial system to carry out their political vendettas," he wrote on social media. "I expect the case to be overturned on appeal."

US Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks: 'Sham trial'

U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, a Republican who represents the 1st Congressional District in southeast Iowa, said the case sets a dangerous precedent.

"Radical Democrat prosecutors yet again set a dangerous precedent today after this sham trial," she said on social media. "This was a travesty and a blatant weaponization of our judicial system. The American people see this for what it is and they will remember in November."

US Rep. Ashley Hinson: 'We must all fight alongside him to right this wrong'

U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, a Republican who represents the 2nd Congressional District in northeast Iowa, urged Iowans to stand with Trump. She accused Biden of orchestrating Trump's prosecution, although the charges were brought by a state prosecutor.

"This is a disgrace and a total sham," she said in a statement on social media. "This has been a political prosecution from the very beginning orchestrated by Biden. President Trump will fight this and we must all fight alongside him to right this wrong & re-elect him as president. The future of our country depends on it."

US Rep. Zach Nunn: 'The United States shouldn't have a two-tiered justice system'

U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn, a Republican who represents the 3rd Congressional District in central and southern Iowa, said Americans would have the chance to make their voices heard on Election Day.

"The United States shouldn't have a two-tiered justice system," Nunn said in a statement shared on social media. "It's simple: The law must be fairly and equally applied, not used to target political opponents. As a veteran, these are the rights that we are guaranteed in America that I fought to protect. The American people will have the final say on Election Day."

Nunn addressed the verdict again Friday morning, speaking to reporters after an event in Ankeny.

"First and foremost, I think we have elected district attorneys who made it their campaign speech to be able to take President Trump to trial," he said. "That is a direct reason we are going to probably see a Trump campaign that is going to appeal this. And ultimately, I think Americans are going to be the ones to decide who the next president of the United States is. We need to respect both the democratic process as well as what's happened in the courts. But ultimately, we need to ensure that we've got an opportunity for the president to speak to the American people. And in November, the American folks are going to decide who the next president should be."

US Rep. Randy Feenstra: 'The American people decide our elections'

"Our justice system should not be used to target political opponents," said U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, a Republican who represents the 4th Congressional District in western Iowa. "The American people decide our elections."

Progress Iowa: 'Stop covering for Trump'

Progress Iowa Executive Director Matt Sinovic praised the jury's decision and condemned Iowa Republicans for continuing to stand with Trump.

“Today’s ruling proves that in America, no one is above the law. Including former presidents," he said in the statement. "After months of attempting to dodge his day in court, a jury of Americans decided to convict Donald Trump. Gov. Kim Reynolds and Iowa Republicans have consistently sided with Trump even as evidence mounted against him. After today’s verdict, it’s time they stop covering for Trump, now a convicted felon, and finally stand up for the rule of law and the everyday Americans on the jury who found Trump guilty.”

USA TODAY contributed to this report.

Brianne Pfannenstiel is the chief politics reporter for the Des Moines Register. She is also covering the 2024 presidential race for USA TODAY as a senior national campaign correspondent. Reach her at bpfann@dmreg.com or 515-284-8244. Follow her on Twitter at @brianneDMR.

Stephen Gruber-Miller covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. He can be reached by email at sgrubermil@registermedia.com or by phone at 515-284-8169. Follow him on Twitter at @sgrubermiller.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Trump guilty verdict reached. Here's how Iowa leaders responded.