GOP Senate candidate and mayor of Riverton, Utah Trent Staggs has slammed John Curtis for a "weak" statement in response to the Trump conviction. Curtis' statement was made 40 minutes after Staggs called him out for being silent on the matter.  

In a statement to The Post Millennial, Staggs said, "The most dangerous threat to America right now isn't climate change. It's a weaponized legal system targeting political opponents," taking a jab at Curtis, who has previously been a chair of the Conservative Climate Caucus in DC. 

"John Curtis's statement that he's 'disappointed' anytime there is an 'appearance' of politicizing our justice system is weak at best. We need more out of our congressman, and far more out of our next senator," Staggs added.  

After Staggs called Curtis out for being silent on the Trump conviction online, Curtis wrote a statement 40 minutes later, "It is up to the American people to choose their leader this November." 

"I am deeply disappointed any time there is an appearance of the politicizing of our justice system. We are facing serious issues overlooked by the Biden administration, including inflation, rising energy prices, the crisis at the southern border, and global instability. I am ready to work with President Trump to address these real challenges and continue to promote Utah and the United States as beacons of hope and democracy," Curtis added.  

Staggs had posted prior, saying, "John Curtis, where are you at on all this? Concerned at your silence. I think we'd all love your take on the dangers of a weaponized legal system targeting a presidential candidate." 

Other candidates in the race have made a strong defense of President Trump in the face of the convictions, which many conservatives have seen as a politically motivated trial. Staggs told TPM about how the other GOP candidates in the race that have taken a strong stance on the issue, "Along with myself, Brad Wilson and Jason Walton both called out the insanity and I thank them for that." 

"Congressman Curtis, it's your turn to stand up against one of the most egregious attacks on liberty in our lifetime," Staggs added in his statement to TPM.  

Curtis served as the Utah Democratic Party chair for a year in the early 2000s before switching his party membership and is generally considered to be a more moderate Republican from the state. Trump has endorsed Staggs in the US Senate race.