The unprecedented event of a president-elect being convicted of a felony about to assume office is on the verge of occurring, with Donald Trump in the center of it. On Friday, Trump received no form of punishment in this groundbreaking case concerning concealed payments, which allows him to resume his duties at the White House without the looming fear of potential incarceration or financial setbacks. He made his appearance via a video feed from his residence in Florida, finalizing a case which introduced moments previously unimaginable in the U.S. This is the first instance of a past president and major presidential hopeful facing criminal prosecution and being convicted.
The case in New York holds exceptional significance as it’s the only one of Trump’s four criminal charges that has been presented in court and may perhaps remain the only one to do so. The sentence was delivered just about ten days prior to his second term inauguration. Trump, albeit tranquil, strongly classified this historic case as ‘government’s misuse of power’ and a ‘shame to New York.’ He also reiterated that he doesn’t bear the guilt of any criminal offense.
In his virtual address with the U.S. flags in the backdrop, Trump designated this whole ordeal as a ‘political lynching.’ He claimed that the intentions behind these charges rested on tarnishing his image in order to ensure his failure in the elections. Nonetheless, he pointed out, the plan didn’t yield the intended result. Upon the culmination of the proceedings, he dismissed the hearing as a ‘contemptible farce’ and emphasized on his plans to contest the conviction.
Manhattan Judge Juan M. Merchan had the full authority to issue a four-year jail term for the 78-year-old Trump. Contrarily, he opted for a sentencing path that navigates around thorny constitutional matters by effectively closing the case. Yet, it would mark Trump as the inaugural president to assume the presidential post with a felony record. The verdict, known as an absolute discharge, is an unusual solution in felony convictions.
As Judge Merchan announced the sentencing, Trump showed no overt reaction, sitting upright with a stern expression, slightly tilting his head. ‘I wish you good luck in your second term,’ Merchan concluded. A few supporters and critics of Trump congregated outside the venue prior to the hearing, manifesting the magnitude of the event.
This unconventional case accused the former and soon-to-be president of 34 felony counts of misrepresenting business records. This resulted in nearly two months of trial and ended with a jury conviction on all accounts. The charges included obscuring his business’ records to conceal a payoff of $130,000 to adult film actress Stormy Daniels.
The payment was made during the end stages of Trump’s 2016 campaign to prevent Daniels from disclosing a sexual encounter she insists they had ten years earlier. Trump, however, remains adamant that no illicit ties existed between them, vehemently denying any wrongdoing. His defense argued that his intentions to suppress these stories were to safeguard his family’s reputation, not his political interests.
Legal representatives of Trump earnestly attempted to halt the trial, subsequently seeking to have the conviction reversed, or at the very least, to delay the sentencing. However, all attempts proved unfruitful. It’s important to note that Trump was a civilian and a presidential contender when the payment to Daniels was made in 2016.
It was during his presidency calendar year when refunds were issued to Cohen, the payments recorded in the subsequent year. Upon Trump’s ascendance to the presidency, special counsel Jack Smith took charge and wrapped up all federal litigations relating to Trump’s handling of confidential documents and his endeavors to reverse his 2020 electoral defeat against Democrat Joe Biden.