Judge Juan Merchan in New York City (USA) on January 10 opened a trial to sentence President-elect Donald Trump for paying hush money to an adult film actor in 2016 and falsifying business records to hide .
Mr. Trump attended the trial online from the state of Florida.
A screen at a New York courthouse shows images of attorney Todd Blanche and President-elect Donald Trump from Florida
Mr. Trump was found guilty by a jury in May 2024 and the judge postponed the sentencing several times at Mr. Trump’s request.
At the sentencing hearing, prosecutor Joshua Steinglass summarized the case and said the jury’s verdict was unanimous and must be respected, according to CNN. Mr. Steinglass also noted that Mr. Trump’s crime could have resulted in a prison sentence or other penalties, but with his election as president, prosecutors recommended a sentence of “unconditional release.”
The prosecutor acknowledged that a conditional release sentence would likely prevent Mr. Trump from performing his presidential duties, so he recommended unconditional release. “We must respect the presidency,” Mr. Steinglass said.
Mr. Trump’s lawyer Emil Bove attended the trial in person in New York on January 10
Mr. Trump’s lawyer Todd Blanche opposed the prosecutor’s opinion and called this a sad day for the president-elect, his family and the country. Mr. Trump also spoke, saying the trial was a very bad experience. “I think it’s a step back for New York and the New York court system. This is a case that Alvin Bragg does not want to bring,” Mr. Trump said, referring to the main prosecutor of the case.
The leader repeated accusations that the case was a political witch hunt aimed at damaging his reputation. “The reality is that I am completely innocent. I did nothing wrong,” President-elect Trump emphasized.
After Mr. Trump finished speaking, Judge Merchan thanked him and called this sentencing one of the most important and difficult decisions a criminal court judge must make. “Never before has this court been faced with such a unique and remarkable situation. This is a truly special case,” Mr. Merchan said.
Finally, the judge announced the sentence of unconditional release. He noted that it is the legal protection of the presidency that is special, not the person who holds that office, stressing that civilians do not enjoy this legal protection.
Although there is no penalty, the crime will forever be recorded in Mr. Trump’s legal record. Previously, the leader requested to postpone the sentencing date after the upcoming inauguration day (January 20), but the US Supreme Court on January 9 rejected this request. Mr. Trump also tried every way to dismiss the case, but Judge Merchan said that the sentencing hearing must take place to meet the public’s expectation that no one is above the law.
