Former President Donald Trump's bombshell, obviously-politically motivated conviction last week made waves even among those who have long been critics of 45. 

Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), a hardcore Never-Trump Republican who was one of few GOP senators to vote in favor of impeaching the former president after the Jan. 6 debacle, took some heat from her Never-Trump friends this week.

According to Boston, the Maine Republican was critical of the prosecution in the matter.

Collins echoed the sentiment of many others across the political spectrum in saying that Trump was convicted not because of any crimes committed, but because of who he is and the threat he poses to the Biden campaign.

What'd she say?

Collins correctly pointed out that DA Alvin Bragg once campaigned on the promise to "get Trump" like many others, essentially saying that what he did and how he managed to pull it off was not in the best interests of democracy and justice.

"It is fundamental to our American system of justice that the government prosecutes cases because of alleged criminal conduct regardless of who the defendant happens to be. In this case the opposite has happened.

"The district attorney, who campaigned on a promise to prosecute Donald Trump, brought these charges precisely because of who the defendant was rather than because of any specified criminal conduct," Collins said.

NEW

Senator Susan Collins reacts to the Trump conviction.

“It is fundamental to our American system of justice that the government prosecutes cases because of alleged criminal conduct regardless of who the defendant happens to be. In this case the opposite has happened.

The… pic.twitter.com/RtuUfQ1YfW

— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) May 31, 2024

The Maine senator pointed to what she called the "political underpinnings" of the prosecution's case, which seem to be similar to other cases Trump faces.

She added, "The political underpinnings of this case further blur the lines between the judicial system and the electoral system, and this verdict likely will be the subject of a protracted appeals process."

Social media reacts

Given the gravity of Collins' response to the situation, many across social media reacted to her opinion on the matter.

"Wow, even the RINOs recognize this sham trial for what it is!" one X user wrote.

Another X user wrote, "OMG!!!!! Thank you for saying the truth!!!!!"

Collins is one of many unsuspecting critics of Trump who have made similar statements in recent days.