On Friday, President-elect Donald Trump was sentenced to an “unconditional discharge” in his New York criminal hush money case, just ten days before his second inauguration.
The ruling by Manhattan Judge Juan Merchan means Trump faces no jail time, probation, or fines, making him the first criminal convict to assume the presidency.
The case, which has drawn national and international attention, underscores the legal and political complexities surrounding Trump’s return to the White House.
Judge Merchan delivered the sentence during a hearing where Trump appeared remotely.
‘This has been a very terrible experience’
“This has been a very terrible experience,” Trump said, reiterating claims that the case was a politically motivated effort to tarnish his reputation before the election.
He described the proceedings as part of a broader “political witch hunt.”
The case stemmed from allegations that Trump falsified business records in connection with a $130,000 payment made by his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, to adult film star Stormy Daniels.
The payment was intended to keep Daniels silent about claims of an alleged affair with Trump, which he has denied.
A jury in May found Trump guilty of 34 felony counts related to these payments.
Judge Merchan explained that an unconditional discharge was the only lawful sentence he could impose without encroaching on the presidency.
“The protection of the office of the presidency is a factor that overrides all others,” Merchan said.
He noted that as an ordinary citizen, Trump would not have received such considerable protections.
Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass supported the recommendation for unconditional discharge, citing the need to respect the presidency.
However, Steinglass criticized Trump for his persistent attacks on the justice system during the trial, accusing him of damaging public trust in the judiciary.
Throughout the hearing, Trump appeared stoic, occasionally frowning and displaying signs of impatience.
His attorney, Todd Blanche, voiced his disagreement with the prosecution’s arguments, calling it a “sad day for the country.”
Trump celebrates the outcome
Despite the somber tone in court, Trump later celebrated the outcome on his Truth Social platform.
Source: TruthSocial
“The Radical Democrats have lost another pathetic, unAmerican Witch Hunt,” he posted, claiming the penalty-free ruling vindicated him.
The sentencing followed a contentious legal battle, culminating in a US Supreme Court decision just hours earlier.
In a narrow 5-4 ruling, the court denied Trump’s request to block the proceedings, with Justice Amy Coney Barrett joining Chief Justice John Roberts and three liberal justices in the majority.
The decision cleared the way for the historic sentencing.
This high-profile case has once again thrust Trump into the center of political and legal debates as he prepares to take office for a second term.
While the sentence itself imposes no penalties, its implications for the presidency and public trust in the justice system remain profound.
As Trump navigates this legal storm, the nation watches closely, awaiting the impact of these unprecedented events on his leadership and legacy.
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