BREAKING: Donald Trump was just found guilty of 34 felony counts – all stemming from the $130,000 hush money payment he made to Stormy Daniels, which Common Cause first blew the whistle on back in 2018. [1][2]
But I’m not writing to you today to celebrate or ponder how this verdict will affect the election. I want us to stay focused on what this means for the future of American democracy.
A jury of the former president’s peers just confirmed the concerns we raised six years ago: Donald Trump broke the law to hide information from voters – just weeks before the 2016 presidential election.
This is the first time a former U.S. president has ever been convicted of a crime – a shameful milestone for our nation, but one that was absolutely necessary to uphold a simple principle: Nobody is above the law.
The rule of law is crucial to our democracy, and the public deserves to know the rule of law will be applied fairly and equally to everyone, even a former president.
But sadly, in order to prevent that from happening, every attempt was made to delegitimize this trial. But John, you and I know the best remedy to a lie is the truth.
That’s why I’m so proud that – in the heat of Trump’s trial – Common Cause New York fought successfully to make the trial transcripts free and accessible to all, ensuring every American could see a fair and even-handed trial for themselves.
So today, I’m thankful for the public servants and jurors who’ve weathered the storm to give voters the answers we deserve. But John, I’ll be honest – when Common Cause filed our legal complaint against Donald Trump back in 2018, we had no guarantee it could ever break through the partisan noise.
But we did it anyway because it was the right thing to do – and because we know that our fight for democracy takes years, not weeks. Playing the long game gets results – and every result we’re able to get is thanks to the generosity and commitment of Common Cause members like you.
Thanks for all you do,
Virginia Kase Solomón, President and CEO
and the team at Common Cause
P.S. You make everything we do – from holding the powerful accountable, to filing legal actions to protect voters, to winning reforms in state legislatures – possible. If you’re able, can you keep Common Cause’s indispensable pro-democracy work going with a contribution today?
[1] https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2024/may/30/trump-hush-money-trial-verdict
[2] https://www.commoncause.org/resource/common-cause-v-trump-cohen-stormy-daniels/
