Donald Trump Found Guilty in New York Hush-Money Trial Case
In a historic first, former US President Donald Trump was found guilty of all 34 charges in his hush money trial on Thursday in New York. This conviction makes Trump the first ex-president in US history to be criminally convicted. Despite this, he remains eligible to campaign for another term.
The jury convicted Trump of falsifying business records to conceal a payment intended to silence adult film star Stormy Daniels. Although he could theoretically face four years in prison for each count, a probation sentence is more likely.
The 77-year-old Republican, released without bail, now carries the label of a felon. This development comes amid his ongoing efforts to challenge President Joe Biden in the upcoming election. Trump responded with defiance, proclaiming his innocence and denouncing the trial as “rigged” and a “disgrace.”
President Biden's campaign responded by emphasizing that the trial demonstrates “no one is above the law,” highlighting the perceived threat Trump poses to democracy.
Judge Juan Merchan has scheduled the sentencing for July 11, just days before the Republican National Convention, 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. Judge Merchan praised the jurors for their service, noting the challenging nature of the task. Their identities were kept confidential throughout the trial, a precaution typically reserved for cases involving violent defendants.
Trump also faces other legal battles, including federal and state charges related to attempts to overturn the 2020 election results and for retaining classified documents post-presidency. However, these cases are unlikely to proceed before the election.
In the hush money trial, Trump was convicted of reimbursing his lawyer, Michael Cohen, for a $130,000 payment to Daniels just before the 2016 election. Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, testified in detail about a 2006 sexual encounter with Trump. Prosecutors argued that the hush money was part of a scheme to mislead voters.
Cohen, a key witness against Trump, hailed the verdict as a victory for accountability and the rule of law. Trump, who denies any sexual encounter with Daniels, did not testify in his own defense. His legal team maintained that the payments were lawful.
The trial has complicated Trump's campaign efforts, but he has leveraged the media attention to his advantage. Shortly after the verdict, Trump's campaign issued a fundraising appeal titled “I am a political prisoner!” He also announced plans for a public statement.
Political analyst Keith Gaddie suggested that the impact of Trump's conviction on the election remains uncertain. While it may not significantly sway votes, it could influence outcomes in closely contested areas.
If Trump wins the presidency, he cannot pardon himself since the case was prosecuted by the state of New York, not the federal government. Only the governor of New York could grant a pardon in this case. An appeal is expected but may take months to resolve.
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