Trump verdict reaction: Devotees pray, opponents cheer – and convicted ex-president calls the whole thing ‘rigged’

Diehard Donald Trump supporters were literally praying outside of Manhattan Criminal Court Thursday for the embattled former president to be found innocent, but the afternoon’s verdict was not the result they were looking for as the former president was found guilty on all 34 counts in his hush money trial, which Trump later said was “rigged.”

The verdict was rendered after 9 1/2 hours of deliberations on May 30 and exposes Trump to potential prison time when he faces sentencing on July 11. He is expected to appeal the verdict and will face an awkward dynamic as he seeks to return to the campaign trail as a convicted felon.