Hush money trial: Donald Trump is convicted on all 34 charges. Now what?
Trump Convicted
Donald Trump has made history as the first former US president to be criminally convicted. On Thursday, a New York jury found him guilty on all 34 counts in his hush money case, adding a significant twist to his political saga just months before a crucial election.
Trump was convicted of falsifying business records to cover up a $130,000 payment to porn star Stormy Daniels. This payment was intended to keep Daniels silent about an alleged affair, which could have jeopardized his 2016 presidential campaign. While theoretically facing up to four years in prison for each count, Trump is more likely to receive probation.
The 77-year-old Republican was released without bail following the verdict. This development marks an unprecedented event in American history, where a former president now holds the status of a felon.
Trump’s Defiance and Future Campaign
Despite the conviction, Trump remains eligible to continue his bid to unseat President Joe Biden in the upcoming November election, even if he were to be imprisoned. Expressing his defiance, Trump declared, “I’m a very innocent man,” and criticized the trial as “rigged” and a “disgrace.” He insists that the “real verdict” will come from the voters.
President Biden’s campaign responded, emphasizing that the trial demonstrated that “no one is above the law” and warning that “the threat Trump poses to our democracy has never been greater.”
Sentencing Set Before GOP Convention
Judge Juan Merchan has scheduled the sentencing for July 11, just days before the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, where Trump is expected to secure the party’s nomination. The 12-member jury deliberated for over 11 hours across two days before delivering their unanimous verdict.
Merchan commended the jurors for their dedication to a “difficult and stressful task.” The jury’s identities were kept confidential, a measure typically reserved for cases involving organized crime or violent offenders.
Election Conspiracy and Other Legal Battles
In addition to this case, Trump faces other significant legal challenges, including federal and state charges related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results and his handling of classified documents after leaving the White House. These trials, involving more severe allegations, are not expected to commence until after the presidential election.
The conviction stems from Trump’s actions to reimburse his lawyer, Michael Cohen, for the payment to Daniels made just before the 2016 election. The court heard detailed testimony from Daniels, who recounted her alleged 2006 sexual encounter with Trump. Prosecutors argued successfully that the hush money payment and its concealment were part of a broader scheme to mislead voters.
Political and Legal Ramifications
Cohen, once a close aide who turned against Trump, described the verdict as “an important day for accountability and the rule of law.” Trump, who has always denied any wrongdoing, chose not to testify in his defense. His lawyers maintained that the payments to Daniels were lawful.
The trial has undeniably impacted Trump’s campaign efforts to dethrone Biden, but it has also provided him with significant media attention. Following the verdict, Trump’s campaign issued a fundraising appeal, framing him as a “political prisoner.” He is set to make a public statement early Friday.
Political analyst Keith Gaddie noted the uncertainty of the trial’s political impact. “It probably doesn’t move a lot of votes, but in particular states with particular swing votes, it could matter around the margins,” he said. “In particularly tight races, it can tip things back from one direction to the other.”
Given that Trump is a first-time convict, he is likely to receive probation rather than imprisonment. An appeal is expected, which could prolong the legal process for months.
Should Trump be elected president again, he would not have the power to pardon himself for this conviction, as it was brought by the state of New York. Only the governor could potentially pardon him in this case.
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