Trey Gowdy Finds ‘Silver Lining’ In Trump’s Sentencing Schedule Ordered By Judge Merchan

Former Republican South Carolina Rep. Trey Gowdy said Friday on Fox News that President-elect Donald Trump’s “silver lining” is that he can have a strong appeal in his New York conviction, following his updated sentencing schedule set by Judge Juan Merchan.

Merchan released his filing Friday, ordering Trump to be sentenced 10 days before his inauguration on Jan. 20, writing that there is “no legal impediment” to impose the former president’s sentencing. On “Special Report With Bret Baier,” Gowdy was asked about the judge’s decision and recalled how he had been in the courtroom for a period of time during the trial.

“I’ve been in a lot of courtrooms. I’ve had bad judges and good judges, but at least they were the same for both sides. This judge, I’ve never seen anything like it, Brett. I mean, the strike zone was like the size of a gnat’s cotton ball for the defense, but it was a big strike zone for the prosecution. So I’m not surprised that he would take one more shot,” Gowdy said.

“Here’s the silver lining though. Now that the case will be over, the sentencing is what ends his involvement, then he can perfect his appeal, President Trump. He can appeal all the evidentiary issues,” Gowdy said. “I get the unfairness that I’m sure he feels right now, and it was an unfair trial. You stop and think of the issues going on in New York right now, and you’re going to take time to prosecute a bookkeeping error. So I get the unfairness, but, in the long run, he, I think, is better off having this in the rear view mirror than in the windshield, despite the unfairness Juan Merchan.”

Baier asked Gowdy to clarify his response, asking if he believes the sentencing could open “the door to a pretty solid appeal.”

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