A House Democrat who previously challenged President Biden called on New York Governor Kathy Hochul to pardon former President Donald Trump for “the good of the country,” stressing that his conviction would hurt the presumptive Republican's campaign only benefits the candidate.
“Donald Trump is a serial liar, cheater and womanizer, a six-time corporate bankrupt, an inciter of insurrection and a convicted felon who profits from portraying himself as a victim,” Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minn. , wrote in a message to X on Friday. “@GovKathyHochul should pardon him for the sake of the country.”
In a follow-up social media post on Saturday: Philips wrote: “You think pardoning is stupid? Making him a martyr over a payment to a porn star is stupid. (Election charges are very different.)”
“It energizes his base, generates record amounts of campaign cash and is likely to result in an electoral boost,” Phillips added.
TRUMP CHANGES SENTENCE TO CASH, PLACES RECORD FUNDRAISING TO GUILTY VERDICT
Rep. Dean Phillips, President Biden's former main challenger, called on New York Governor Kathy Hochul to pardon former President Donald Trump for “the good of the country.” (Getty Images)
Phillips' comments about the “record” fundraiser came after the Trump campaign announced Friday evening that it had raised nearly $53 million in the 24 hours after Trump was found guilty of all 34 felonies in his criminal trial in New York City.
The campaign had previously announced, as reported by Fox News Digital, that it had raised $34.8 million in fundraising from 6pm ET to midnight on Thursday, immediately after the verdict in the case was made public.
The campaign touted that the fundraising was “nearly double the largest day ever recorded for the Trump campaign on the WinRed platform” and emphasized that the guilty verdicts “awakened the MAGA movement like never before.”
Hochul's office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment on Phillips' plea for clemency.
Biden urges respect for justice system after Trump's conviction, while publicly ignoring SCOTUS rulings
Phillips launched an unsuccessful primary challenge against Biden in October but dropped out of the race in March. (Getty Images)
“I think things in New York may have backfired on those who thought it would be the savior. But I don't think things in New York are exactly what Democrats hoped they would be,” Phillips told CNN's Manu. Raju.
Phillips launched an unsuccessful primary challenge against Biden in October. He dropped out of the race in March, saying it is “clear that Joe Biden is OUR candidate and OUR opportunity to show what kind of country America is and plans to be.”
“I ask you to join me in mobilizing, energizing, and doing all you can to keep a man of decency and integrity in the White House.” That's Joe Biden,” he added at the time.
Trump aims to close his funding gap with Biden. In April, his campaign and the Republican National Committee surpassed the Biden campaign and the Democratic National Committee for the first time.
Trump aims to close his funding gap with Biden. In April, his campaign and the Republican National Committee surpassed the Biden campaign and the Democratic National Committee for the first time. (Getty Images)
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While Trump has ramped up his fundraising, the Biden campaign still enjoyed a cash advantage of $84 million to $49 million at the end of April.
Paul Steinhauser of Fox News contributed to this report.
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