Hours after Roger Stone was sentenced to 40 months in prison, President Trump said he expects the eccentric political adviser to be exonerated.
Speaking at the commencement address at the Hope for Prisoners graduation in Las Vegas on Thursday, Trump said the forewoman of the jury in Stone’s case was “totally tainted.” The juror, Tomeka Hart, is a former Democratic congressional candidate who posted anti-Trump messages to social media, leading Stone’s attorneys to push for a new trial.
“I want to address today’s sentencing of a man, Roger Stone. Roger Stone. He’s become a big part of the news over the last little while, and I’m following this very closely, and I want to see it play out to its fullest because Roger has a very good chance of exoneration, in my opinion,” Trump said.
Stone was found guilty in November on five separate counts of lying to the House Intelligence Committee during its investigation into Russian interference about his alleged outreach to WikiLeaks, in addition to one count that he “corruptly influenced, obstructed, and impeded” the congressional investigation and another for attempting to persuade corruptly the congressional testimony of radio show host Randy Credico.
Judge Amy Berman Jackson handed down the sentence on Thursday, culminating in months of high-profile intrigue surrounding the longtime Trump associate.
“The defendant lied about a matter of great national and international importance … and he lied to Congress,” Jackson said. “There was nothing unfair, phony, or disgraceful about the investigation or the prosecution.”
Trump, who pardoned 11 people last week, including former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, gave no indication about whether he may pardon Stone.
“I’m not going to do anything in terms of the great powers bestowed upon a president of the United States,” Trump said. “I want the process to play out. I think that’s the best thing to do because I’d love to see Roger exonerated.”
