Republican National Committee co-chairwoman Lara Trump criticized Maryland Senate candidate Larry Hogan for his remarks ahead of former President Donald Trump’s trial verdict, asserting that the fellow Republican “doesn’t deserve” respect.
Lara Trump addressed Hogan’s suggestion that Americans should “respect the verdict and the legal process” just before a New York City jury convicted Trump of 34 felony counts related to business fraud, marking a dividing line.
“I think it’s ridiculous,” Lara Trump stated during an interview on CNN’s State of the Union on Sunday morning. “He doesn’t deserve the respect of anyone in the Republican Party at this point. And quite frankly, anybody in America, if that’s the way you feel. That’s very upsetting.”
Hogan’s statement last week, prior to the jury’s decision, called on the public to respect the jury’s final judgment.
“Regardless of the result, I urge all Americans to respect the verdict and the legal process. At this dangerously divided moment in our history, all leaders—regardless of party—must not pour fuel on the fire with more toxic partisanship,” Hogan posted on X. “We must reaffirm what has made this nation great: the rule of law.”
Trump, who was appointed as the co-chairwoman of the GOP earlier this year, was asked by host Katie Hunt if the RNC would financially back Hogan or allow the seat to go to Democrats. Trump responded indirectly, avoiding a clear answer.
“We, of course, want to win as a party, but that is a shame. And I think he should have thought long and hard before he said that publicly,” Trump said. “He should never have said something like that.”
Nonetheless, Hogan’s comment could attract Democrats or Independent voters, whose support he will need to secure Maryland’s Senate seat.
