People in Illinois react to Donald Trump’s guilty verdict
Former President Donald Trump appears at Manhattan criminal court in New York, Thursday, May 30, 2024. AP Photo / Seth Wenig, Pool
Last night, a Manhattan jury voted to convict Former President Donald Trump on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. The verdict makes Trump the first former president to be convicted of felony crimes. In Illinois' political sphere, much has been said about the trial.
Today on the 21st, we're joined by Jonathan Alter, an author and political analyst, and Lynn Sweet, the Washington Bureau Chief for the Chicago Sun-Times. Two political science professors, Meghan Leonard from Illinois State University and Karen Swenson from Eastern Illinois University, also join us.
We'll start by talking about the jury and the decisions they had to make.
Next, we'll listen to your guests' opinions and if they think the verdict will fuel the political divide in the country. We'll also discuss the potential impacts of the verdict.
Lastly, we'll listen to some of the reactions from our listeners and residents in Illinois.
GUESTS:
Jonathan Alter
Political analyst
Author, His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, A Life
Lynn Sweet
Washington Bureau Chief for the Chicago Sun-Times
Meghan Leonard
Associate Professor, Department of Politics and Government, Illinois State University
Karen Swenson
Professor, Eastern Illinois University Department of Political Science