Despite a jury finding President-elect Trump guilty on 34 felony counts related to hush-money payments, Justice Merchan sentenced him to an unconditional discharge. This decision, issued ten days before Trump’s inauguration, cited legal protections afforded to the presidential office as the overriding factor, not mitigating the seriousness of the crimes. Merchan stated that jail time would infringe upon the highest office in the land, making an unconditional discharge the only lawful sentence. Trump, appearing virtually, maintained his innocence and characterized the trial as a politically motivated attack.
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Judge Juan Merchan denied President-elect Trump’s motion to delay his January 10th sentencing on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, rejecting arguments regarding presidential immunity appeals. The judge deemed Trump’s arguments repetitive and noted the current schedule resulted from Trump’s previous requests for adjournments. Prosecutors argued that sentencing before the inauguration avoids potential conflicts and would be brief. The judge previously indicated an unconditional discharge is likely, meaning Trump would remain a convicted felon but face no additional penalties.
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Manhattan Judge Juan Merchan upheld former President Trump’s conviction on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, rejecting arguments that a Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity invalidated the verdict. The judge determined that the Supreme Court’s decision did not apply to Trump’s actions as a presidential candidate and private citizen, and that even if some evidence of official presidential acts was admitted, it did not affect the overwhelming evidence of guilt. While the ruling is subject to appeal, the judge found that the evidence presented did not infringe on executive branch authority. Trump’s legal team can still challenge the conviction on other grounds.
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A New York judge has rejected Donald Trump’s claim of immunity from prosecution in the hush-money case, ruling that the Supreme Court’s decision regarding presidential actions during office is irrelevant to this conviction. The judge’s decision upholds Trump’s May conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records. This ruling confirms that, barring a successful appeal, Trump will be the first convicted criminal to assume the presidency. The case centered on payments made to a porn star during the 2016 presidential campaign.
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John Q. Hosedrinker