For William Brangham, even though the judge’s decision wasn’t unforeseen, having inferred it from a previous memorandum, it was nonetheless an unusual circumstance. It is not an everyday event when someone is found guilty of no less than 34 felony offenses and escape any form of punishment whether it be incarceration, fines, or probation.
While delivering his judgement, Merchan portrayed the trial as predominantly common, proceeding as expected with jury selection, attorneys’ presentations, witnesses’ testimonies, and finally, a consensus on the verdict. However, he also underscored that due to the identity of the defendant, this trial and its resultant sentencing were far from ordinary.
A critical point Merchan made was that if the defendant were an average individual, like any other citizen, he would have probably faced severe penalties for his crimes. However, the defendant being none other than Donald Trump, presumptive future President of the United States, certain constitutional protections apply.
According to Merchan, this ‘get-out-of-jail-free’ card is not a product of his own volition, rather it’s a privilege provided for by the Constitution, multiple courts, and most recently, reinforced by a Supreme Court ruling last year. Because of these protections, the judge claimed he had little alternative but to let Trump walk free.
On putting forward his decision, Merchan made it clear that the protections extended to the president in no way downplay the significance of the crime committed. These legal safeguards do not eradicate the crime, nor confer absolution.
As outlined by William Brangham, Trump has utilized every possible legal instrument available to him. He sought Judge Merchan’s intervention, approached an appeals court in New York, and even escalated it to the Supreme Court. His plea was unfortunately dismissed by the top court with a narrow 5-4 majority.
Justice Alito strongly contested claims about prior communication regarding this trial. He asserted that not a single word had been exchanged before Trump’s discussion was registered. Therefore, he disputed the insinuation that Trump was trying to manipulate the outcome in advance.
Trump had desperately hoped that the legal proceedings would not reach this stage because it meant the official declaration of him being a ‘convicted felon’, a label he was reluctant to accept. This designation is particularly troublesome for someone about to step into the role of President, as it tarnishes his reputation and the office he holds.
The last words of Merchan to Donald Trump that day were a stark contrast to the rest of the proceedings. He wished Trump well, echoing the traditional phrase ‘Godspeed’ as he takes on his second term. This signals an end to the legal battle – at least for the time being.
Once Judge Merchan’s sagely words dissipated into the silence of the courtroom, the only noise that could be heard was the soft click of Donald Trump’s video link disconnecting. Thus, the trial was officially closed for the day. It was now up to Trump to face the consequences – not in court, but in the court of public opinion.