A New York judge made a landmark decision by sentencing President-elect Donald Trump to an “unconditional discharge,” closing the chapter on the first-ever criminal trial involving a former US president.
The ruling spares Trump from jail time or fines, though he will now serve as the first US president with a felony conviction.
Trump Denounces Case as Politically Charged
Addressing the court directly for the first time, Trump criticized the Manhattan District Attorney, Alvin Bragg, and the judicial system, claiming he was treated “very unfairly.” His remarks, lasting several minutes, reflected his long-standing allegations of judicial weaponization for political purposes.
District Attorney Bragg remained composed throughout Trump’s statement but responded with a faint smile when the president-elect suggested Bragg never intended to pursue the case.
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A Unique Trial with a Historic Verdict
Justice Merchan described the trial as paradoxical, noting that despite the intense media coverage and political scrutiny, the courtroom proceedings resembled any other legal case.
However, the conviction gained unprecedented weight when Trump won a second term in November, leading the judge to prioritize the presidency’s integrity over punitive measures.
“The only lawful sentence, without interfering with the nation’s highest office, is an unconditional discharge.”
The Hush-Money Case Timeline
The trial stems from Trump’s 2024 conviction on 34 felony charges of falsifying business records. These charges relate to a $130,000 payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign, orchestrated to silence her allegations of a past affair with Trump.
Prosecutors argued that the payment constituted election interference by concealing crucial information from voters. Trump reimbursed his former attorney, Michael Cohen, in instalments labelled as legal expenses—each false record serving as the basis for the felony counts.
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Trial Sparks Media Frenzy and Political Drama
The six-week trial captivated the nation, featuring testimony from key figures like Cohen and Daniels. Trump’s daily court appearances were marked by high-profile Republican allies and family members accompanying him. At the same time, he used media opportunities outside the courtroom to lambast the judicial system and the press.
Trump leveraged the trial to galvanize his supporters, raising millions in campaign funds and legal fees. Despite facing four criminal indictments since leaving office in 2021, this was the only case to go for trial.
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The post Donald Trump Walks Free Following Hush-Money Trial Sentencing appeared first on iHarare News.
