Donald Trump was sentenced on Friday to an “unconditional discharge” by a New York judge in the hush money case, officially branding him a convicted felon under New York state law but imposing no additional penalties, according to NBC News.
The unprecedented sentencing came just 10 days before Trump’s swearing-in as the 47th US president, marking a dramatic chapter in the nation’s political and legal history.
“This has been a terrible experience,” Trump said, speaking remotely from his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida. “It was done to damage my reputation so I would lose the election. I did nothing wrong.” Despite his complaints of political persecution, Trump vowed to continue fighting the charges and proclaimed his innocence.
The case ultimately found Trump guilty of falsifying business records related to a USD 130,000 payment made by his former attorney Michael Cohen to adult film star “Stormy Daniels” during the closing days of the 2016 presidential campaign.
Daniels alleged she had an affair with Trump in 2006, which he has also denied. The payment was allegedly intended to silence Daniels to avoid potential damage to Trump’s campaign.
Trump’s legal team had mounted numerous challenges to delay the sentencing, appealing to state courts and the US Supreme Court, all of which were rejected. The final decision by the Supreme Court came in a 5-4 ruling late on Thursday, clearing the way for Judge Juan Merchan to proceed.
In court, Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass argued that while Trump was convicted of 34 felony counts, a sentence of “unconditional release” was appropriate due to the unique circumstances of the case. “We must respect the office of the presidency and the role it plays in our democracy,” Steinglass said.
However, he criticized Trump for repeatedly behaving as though he was “above the law” and undermining public trust in the justice system with his attacks on judges, prosecutors, and even their families.
Judge Merchan echoed those concerns in his remarks, emphasizing the seriousness of Trump’s conduct. “This was not a minor transgression,” Merchan said, referencing the jury’s unanimous guilty verdict in May. “The premeditated and continuous deception by the leader of the free world is the gravamen of this offense.”
Despite his strong words, Merchan acknowledged the political and legal complexities surrounding the case, opting for a sentence that would avoid further upheaval. “A sentence of incarceration is authorized but impractical given the defendant’s impending inauguration,” he stated, noting that even the prosecution did not push for prison time.
Trump’s Attorney Todd Blanche condemned the trial as politically motivated, accusing the Manhattan district attorney’s office of fulfilling a campaign promise to prosecute Trump. “This is a sad day for President Trump, his family, and the country,” Blanche said, vowing to appeal the case.
While state prosecutors in Georgia have paused their case alleging Trump interfered in the 2020 election, federal prosecutors dropped two other cases after his election, citing the Justice Department’s position that a sitting president cannot be prosecuted.
The verdict and sentencing have sparked intense debate across the political spectrum. Trump and his supporters argue that the case is a politically driven attack, while critics see it as a necessary affirmation of the rule of law.
“The sanctity of the jury verdict must be upheld,” Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a statement, adding, “This case demonstrates that no one, not even a president, is above the law.”
Speaking to reporters after the Supreme Court’s decision, Trump remained defiant. “I’ll do my little thing tomorrow. They can have fun with their political opponent,” the future President said.