Former Gov. Cuomo Criticizes Trump Conviction, Claims Case Would Not Have Been Pursued If he wasn’t running

Former Democratic Governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo, criticized the prosecution of former President Trump in a recent interview with HBO’s Bill Maher, suggesting that the case stemmed from political motives rather than genuine legal grounds.

Cuomo’s remarks on”Real Time with Bill Maher” echoed Maher’s assertion that the New York District Attorney should not have pursued charges against Trump related to hush money payments. Cuomo agreed, labelling the prosecution as indicative of politicization within the justice system.

Trump trial day nine highlights: Judge rules Trump violated gag order | AP News

“The attorney general’s case in New York frankly should have never been brought,” Cuomo stated during the interview, highlighting widespread discontent among New Yorkers, regardless of their opinions on Trump, who viewed the case as a manipulation of justice.

According to Cuomo, most New Yorkers perceive the justice system as politicized, even in cases where there is general antipathy towards Trump.

He argued that such perceptions undermine public trust in the fairness of legal proceedings and threaten democratic principles.”And you want to talk about a threat to democracy. When you have this country believing you’re 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,” Cuomo emphasized.

Maher pointed out the substantial financial gains Trump reportedly garnered from supporters following his convictions, characterizing it as a significant fundraising opportunity.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo told HBO host Bill Maher that the New York case against Trump “should’ve never been brought.” ((N. Scott Trimble/Syracuse Post-Standard via AP)

Cuomo, who resigned from office amidst a sexual harassment scandal in 2021, alongside Maher and the former New York attorney general, continued to argue that his political stature influenced the prosecution of Trump and would not have occurred if he were not a presidential candidate.

“If his name was not Donald Trump and he wasn’t running for president –I’m the former AG of New York –I’m telling you that case would’ve never been brought. That is offensive to people,” Cuomo concluded, emphasizing the erosion of public faith in the justice system.

The remarks by Cuomo on”Real Time with Bill Mahe” underscore a broader debate over the impartiality of legal actions against public figures and their implications for democratic integrity.