ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos engaged in a heated discussion with Will Scharf, the attorney representing former President Trump, during an interview on Sunday. The debate centered around Trump’s allegations that President Biden had a hand in the criminal case regarding hush money payments, which led to Trump’s conviction in New York.
During the segment on “This Week,” Scharf reiterated Trump’s stance, labeling the hush money trial, which resulted in 34 felony convictions for Trump, as a prime example of the “politicization of the legal system.”
“This is unprecedented in American history. Campaigns should be fought at the ballot box, not in the courtroom,” Scharf asserted.
Stephanopoulos acknowledged the importance of electoral victories but emphasized that there was no proof suggesting any involvement from the federal Department of Justice in the concluded New York state trial.
“That’s correct. However, we’ve never seen a former president or presidential candidate facing such charges due to their own actions. Moreover, the Manhattan attorney general operates independently from the Department of Justice,” Stephanopoulos pointed out.
As Stephanopoulos attempted to steer the conversation back to the sentencing process, Scharf remained steadfast in his claim of political motivation behind the prosecution. This prompted Stephanopoulos to interject.
“I strongly disagree with the assertion that the district attorney in New York acted without political bias,” Scharf stated, “and I also firmly believe that President Biden and his political allies are deeply involved in this prosecution.”
Stephanopoulos quickly responded, “There’s no evidence supporting that claim. I won’t allow you to continue making that statement without any proof.”
“Would you like to address the question regarding the sentencing process?” Stephanopoulos pressed, after a brief exchange.
Scharf cited Matthew Colangelo, the prosecutor in the case, and his presence alongside District Attorney Alvin Bragg during the verdict announcement as evidence of political interference, noting Colangelo’s previous role at the Department of Justice, before the interview concluded.