Trump to Meet With Senate Republicans 2 Weeks After Verdict

Former President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet with Senate Republicans on Thursday, just two weeks after being convicted on 34 charges in his New York criminal trial. GOP senators have been increasingly showing their support for Trump.

The meeting invitation was extended by Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso, the chair of the GOP conference, and Trump has agreed to attend, as reported by sources familiar with the arrangements. The meeting will take place at a location outside the Capitol, typical for campaign-related events.

This gathering will mark the first meeting between Trump and the GOP conference since he left office and since the Capitol attack on Jan. 6, 2021. The news was initially reported by NBC News.

Several senators who had initially criticized Trump after the Capitol attack have now endorsed his potential presidential run, including Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell and other Senate leaders.

Following the May 31 verdict, the GOP Senate conference showed unanimous support for Trump, with many senators joining him in criticizing the judge and jury. Trump became the first former U.S. president to be convicted on felony charges related to a scheme involving hush money to a porn actor in an attempt to influence the 2016 election.

Instead of distancing themselves from Trump, Republicans have stood by him, suggesting that the New York court verdict was politically motivated. Some senators even showed up at the trial to demonstrate their solidarity with Trump.

Trump is expected to appeal the recent conviction on all 34 charges, with sentencing scheduled for July 11.