‘You’re Running with a Convicted Felon’: CNN’s Manu Raju Grills Embattled House Republicans About Trump Verdict

CNN Chief Congressional Correspondent Manu Raju asked several House Republicans representing swing districts about Donald Trump’s conviction in New York.

The former president and presumptive GOP presidential nominee was found guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records. Republicans have decried the verdict as the result of political persecution.

The GOP holds a narrow majority in the House heading into November’s election. In interviews that ran during Monday’s OutFront on CNN, Raju spoke with Republicans in swing districts who are hoping to hold their seats even though their party’s leader is a convicted felon.

Here are exchanges Raju had with Reps. John Duarte (R-CA), Anthony D’Esposito (R-NY), Nick LaLota (R-NY), and Mike Garcia (R-CA):

RAJU: Does it hurt having a convicted felon in a district like yours, hurt Republicans?

DUARTE: My district’s full of very smart people with a firm grasp of reality. They can smell bullshit.

…

RAJU: No issues nominating a convicted felon?

D’ESPOSITO: I have no issues in supporting Donald Trump for president United States.

…

RAJU: I mean, you’re running with a convicted felon at the top of your ticket.

LALOTA: Tainted process. Not the same. And a lot of my constituents were focused on the fact of the trial not being fair, the process not being fair, and they’re upset and they’re angry.

…

RAJU: Are you concerned you have a convicted felon at the top of the ticket?

GARCIA: No, I think the American people saw what happened in New York. They saw two, what were typically misdemeanors being elevated to 34 felonies.

Raju reported that “there were still several other Republicans in swing districts who did not want to talk about this just moments ago when I tried to catch up with them.”

The reporter said two of the reluctant lawmakers were Reps. Mike Lawler (R-NY) and Tom Kean Jr (R-NJ).

Watch above via CNN.

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