Senator Lisa Murkowski from Alaska recently criticized her Republican colleagues for attending former President Trump’s trial in New York. Murkowski expressed frustration, suggesting that there were more important tasks to focus on than watching the trial, which she deemed unnecessary.
Several notable Republicans have been present at the trial, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, and Senators JD Vance, Tommy Tuberville, and Rick Scott, along with Representative Byron Donalds.
Trump has welcomed the support from these GOP members, appreciating their public endorsements during the trial. The trial itself, which began last month, is significant as it marks the first criminal trial of a former U.S. president. Trump is facing charges related to falsifying business records in connection with payments made by his former attorney, Michael Cohen. These payments were intended to keep a porn actress from disclosing an alleged affair with Trump before the 2016 election, an affair Trump denies.
Mike Johnson criticized the trial, suggesting it was a deliberate attempt to keep Trump occupied and away from the campaign trail. He asserted that the charges against Trump were unfounded.
Murkowski, who previously voted to convict Trump during his second impeachment trial, has voiced her ongoing dissatisfaction with the Republican Party’s direction under Trump. She expressed a desire for a Republican nominee she could support, indicating her inability to back Trump.