‘No one is above the law,’ Latino leaders react to Trump verdict

While many Latino leaders and politicians have remained silent on yesterday’s verdict, some have spoken out about the former president’s guilty verdict. 

CALÓ News spoke to Dr. Ciriaco Pinedo, President and CEO of the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation (MAOF) about the verdict at our Diálogo series event yesterday in South Gate. 

“I think it’s important for everyone to not only understand but to see that the law applies across the board,” Pinedo said. “Oftentimes in under-resourced communities, when we trip, when we fall, when we do something wrong, we’re persecuted, and we’re told that justice is blind. It is not blind. If you have the resources to mount a defense, justice looks different for you. What happened today is that someone in perhaps what most consider the top position of power, of authority and of leadership was held accountable at the first level. We have to see what happens in these next phases. But today, the court said you are not above the law.”

Pinedo said that in comparison to other people of color, including Latinos, justice is not applied in the same manner, but the verdict Trump received sends a message. “Oftentimes, communities of color were told, ‘just obey the law, if you just do as you’re supposed to, then there is no issue, there is no problem and justice is truly blind.’ We know that that’s not true. We know that that’s not been the case for us. Today, we saw a first major step leading to finally bringing that equity to justice and I’m hopeful that it will continue.” 

Rep. Norma J. Torres posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, “No one is above the law, including a former President of the United States. The prospect of a criminal running for the highest office of the land is an affront, and frankly dangerous, for the integrity of our democracy.”

Torres represents California’s 35th Congressional District which includes Bloomington, Chino, Fontana, Montclair, Ontario, Pomona and Rialto. 

Rep. Robert Garcia posted on the same platform simply “No one is above the law.” He represents California Congressional District 42, which encompasses Long Beach and its surrounding suburbs.