In a recent statement, Senator Mitt Romney of Utah expressed his disapproval of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's decision to pursue charges against former President Donald Trump. Romney, a Republican known for occasionally aligning with moderate members of his party, condemned what he called "political malpractice" on the part of Bragg.

Romney's remarks come in the wake of the guilty verdict against Trump in the NY v. Trump case. The former President was found guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records to conceal payments made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, who alleged having an affair with Trump. Despite denying the affair and pleading not guilty, Trump now faces sentencing scheduled for July 11.

The Utah Senator argued that Bragg should have settled the case against Trump, following what he deemed as the normal procedure. Romney warned that while Bragg may have won the battle, he may have ultimately lost the political war. He criticized the Democrats for attempting to extinguish the "Trump fire" with what he referred to as "political oxygen."

Romney was not alone in his criticism of Bragg's pursuit of charges against Trump. Senator Susan Collins of Maine also denounced the "political underpinnings" of the case in her post-verdict statement. On the other hand, Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska refrained from commenting on the legitimacy of the case or the verdict, instead expressing concern over the distraction it creates from President Biden's policies.

Meanwhile, members of the right-wing flank of the Republican conference strongly reacted to Trump's guilty verdict. A letter from this group stated their unwillingness to aid and abet the Biden administration in its efforts to divide the country further.

Romney's response to the verdict is noteworthy as he previously suggested that President Biden should have pardoned Trump, his political opponent. In an interview from mid-May, Romney expressed his belief that a pardon would have elevated President Biden's stature and positioned Trump as the lesser figure.

Trump has pledged to appeal the guilty verdict, setting the stage for a potentially lengthy legal battle. As the sentencing date approaches, the aftermath of the NY v. Trump case continues to reverberate throughout the political landscape, with Republicans expressing different perspectives on the legitimacy of the charges and the pursuit of legal action against the former President.