It’s a sunny day in Traverse City. Pedestrians visit shops on Front Street, kids run when their mothers tell them not to at the splash park and dogs are their usual happy selves.
It’s also after a jury in New York found former President Donald Trump guilty of 34 felony charges.
Reactions from people out and about range from disinterested to celebratory. Some have elected not to pay attention to the trial- preferring to focus on their careers- while others have had it on their radar since day one.
Craig Jolly, a local musician, said the case was about more than “another guy falsifying his expense account.”
“If you look at the underlying issue here, and that is that he tried to keep information from the voters,” he said. “That’s what this was all about. They’re really throwing wrenches into the whole judicial system, the way they’re challenging it.”
But in Midland, GOP voters think differently. Brad Blasy said he’s ready for the next step.
“Obviously, it will be appealed, and we will go through that process,” Blasy said.
Erica Pina disagreed with the decision, but it’s not dissuading her from supporting Trump.
“I don’t agree with it, but I think it’s also fuel to the flame, like ‘alright, let’s go get this,’” she said. “I don’t think it’s going to change anyone’s mind who’s conservative, so it’s kind of like ‘alright, bring it, let’s go.’”
Tracey Cvengros is a former New Yorker who said she’s more familiar with Trump than she’d like. But she said she appreciated the opportunity, by being out of the state, to step back and pay attention to the actual case.
“I actually was not expecting it to be all 34 counts,” she said. “I thought maybe they would get him on a couple and then excuse a few that, you know, didn’t hold water. But yeah, total shock.”
Michael and Charlene Farella were paying attention to the case as it happened, and said they knew he was guilty because of the testimonies they heard.
“We were pleased that he was convicted because, frankly, our justice system is under attack right now, and it was good to see that it worked,” Michael said.
Jon Lynch said his main concern is whether the trial was fair.
“I have faith in the justice system, I suppose, and I’m very hopeful that the process was fair and equitable,” he said. “The law should be unflinching, the law should be nonpartisan, and everyone should be subject to it regardless of whatever role we’ve played.”
Harold Lassers is the communications director for the Grand Traverse Democratic Party. He said he hopes the verdict impacts how voters choose in November.
“I hope citizens look at (what) the jury decided and consider their choice,” he said. “As (Senator) Mitch McConnell pointed out, after a president leaves office he or she is subject to state and federal criminal law.”
