A Christian response to the trial and conviction of former President Donald Trump

“You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor”

Screenshot from Fox Business about the Trump conviction.

Love him or loath him, former President Donald Trump is a polarizing figure today in the United States, and those out to “Get Trump” include more than just political pundits, but judges too.

While many liberals in the country are celebrating Trump’s conviction, others – including liberals and conservatives alike – are concerned about the appearance of the judiciary being weaponized against the former president and presumptive presidential nominee of the Republican Party.

Reaction to ‘Sham Trial’

Following the verdict, The National Review published an article titled, “In Memory of Justice.”

Jonathan Turley, a respected law professor, told Fox News that errors in the trial may take time to rectify. “I think these errors are obvious. I can’t imagine them not being sustained. It may take a while. In fact, it may not occur until they get to the Supreme Court. The campaign has to assume it will not get a final review before the election,” said Turley.

Democrat attorney Alan Dershowitz remarked, “People are thrilled courts violated the Constitution to get Trump.”

Elie Honig of New York Magazine in an article headlined – Prosecutors Got Trump – But They Contorted the Law – wrote: “Most importantly, the DA’s charges against Trump push the outer boundaries of the law and due process. That’s not on the jury. That’s on the prosecutors who chose to bring the case and the judge who let it play out as it did.

“But when you impose meaningful search parameters, the truth emerges: The charges against Trump are obscure and nearly entirely unprecedented. In fact, no state prosecutor – in New York, or Wyoming, or anywhere – has ever charged federal election laws as a direct or predicate state crime, against anyone, for anything. None. Ever. Even putting aside the specifics of election law, the Manhattan DA itself almost never brings any case in which falsification of business records is the only charge.”

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Southern Baptist, posted on X/Twitter, “Today is a shameful day in American history. This was a purely political exercise, not a legal one. The weaponization of our justice system has been a hallmark of the Biden Administration, and the decision today is evidence that Democrats will stop at nothing to silence dissent and crush their political opponents.”

Johnson added that Trump will appeal the “absurd” verdict and he “WILL WIN.”

At a weekly press briefing on June 4, Republican leaders called out the “sham trial” that led to Trump’s conviction.

“Last week’s verdict in New York shows how corrupt, rigged, and un-American the weaponized justice system has become under Joe Biden and Democrats. The facts are clear. It was a zombie case brought forward by a corrupt prosecutor doing Joe Biden’s political bidding in a desperate attempt to save Joe Biden’s failing and catastrophic campaign,” said Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY). “The case hinged on the testimony of a convicted felon who was disbarred for lying and who perjured himself to Congress. This sham trial was overseen by a corrupt and highly unethical judge who is a Biden donor, (and) whose own family has profited from this case.”

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Sanders, who is included on a list of possible Trump running mates, told CBN News, “Few people could take the level of attack and criticism that he (Trump) does and continue to engage in the process I think most people would be curled up in the corner, and yet he gets up and just keeps pushing and keeps moving forward. I think that’s one of the things that makes him so popular people want somebody who they see is tough and strong and is going to fight for this country and that’s exactly what they see in him.”

Problems with the Trump Trial

Those suggesting the alleged abuse within the judicial branch against Trump support their assessment with the following:

1) The case brought against Trump was from prosecutors with deep ties to the Democrat Party. It was a trial based on an indictment that does not charge Trump with a crime, so it is constitutionally defective.

2) Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg ran a campaign to get Trump and was partially funded by billionaire progressive activist George Soros.

3) The federal prosecutor in New York had already reviewed the case before Bragg and declined to prosecute it.

4) Judge Juan Manuel Merchan declined to recuse himself, even though his daughter earns a living by fundraising for several Democratic candidates, including the controversial California Congressman Adam Schiff. When Schiff was chairman of the U.S. House Intelligence Committee he shared misinformation with the American public about having evidence tying Trump to Russian president Putin, which was later found to be false. With 120 or so judges in the Manhattan court system who could have presided over the case, it could have easily been heard in front of another judge.

What Does the Bible Say about Injustice?

The Bible addresses injustice in various Scripture passages:

“What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means!” (Romans 9:14).

“Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice” (Proverbs 16:8).

“Woe to those who decree iniquitous decrees, and the writers who keep writing oppression” (Isaiah 10:1).

“You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor” (Leviticus 19:15).

“The LORD within her is righteous; he does no injustice; every morning he shows forth his justice; each dawn he does not fail; but the unjust knows no shame” (Zephaniah 3:5).

A Christian Response to Injustice

God’s perspective on justice and injustice is clear: He loves justice, hates robbery, and calls us to seek righteousness and fairness. As believers, we are called to stand against injustice, defend the vulnerable, and promote God’s justice in our actions and interactions with others.

As Christians, pursuing justice and addressing oppression are essential elements of our faith. This involves focusing on prayer, seeking wisdom from God, and advocating for change.

The church plays a critical role in the discipleship of Christ’s followers who model a higher path for society, incorporating understanding, reconciliation, and justice to contribute to healing and positive change.

In summary, Christians should actively pray, seek justice as defined by God, and model Christ’s love in addressing injustice in our fallen world.