In a landmark decision, a New York jury has found former President Donald Trump guilty on all charges in his hush money case, a significant development as he campaigns to regain the White House.
Trump, 77, was convicted on 34 counts of falsifying business records to conceal a payment to silence adult film star Stormy Daniels. This historic trial marks the first criminal conviction of a former US president. Despite the guilty verdict, Trump was released without bail and is expected to appeal.
Speaking to reporters outside the Manhattan courtroom, Trump denounced the verdict as a “disgrace” and “rigged,” asserting that the “real verdict” will come from voters in the upcoming November 5 presidential election.
This conviction places the United States in unprecedented political circumstances, though it does not prevent Trump from continuing his presidential campaign, even if he were to face prison time.
Sentencing is scheduled for July 11, just before the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, where Trump is anticipated to secure the party’s nomination to challenge Democratic President Joe Biden.
In response, Biden’s campaign highlighted the trial as evidence that “no one is above the law” and underscored the ongoing threat Trump poses to democracy.
The jury, comprised of 12 members, deliberated for over 11 hours before reaching a unanimous decision. Judge Juan Merchan commended the jurors for their diligence under challenging conditions. Their identities were kept confidential, a precaution typically reserved for cases involving organized crime or violent offenders.
Trump’s conviction stems from falsifying business records to reimburse his lawyer, Michael Cohen, for a $130,000 payment to Daniels during the 2016 election. Daniels had claimed she had a sexual encounter with Trump in 2006, a revelation that could have jeopardized his campaign.
The trial featured detailed testimony from Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, vividly recounting her alleged encounter with Trump. Prosecutors argued that the hush money was part of a broader scheme to deceive voters about Trump’s conduct.
Trump’s defense claimed that influencing an election was merely part of democratic processes and insisted he committed no wrongdoing.
The trial has significantly diverted Trump’s attention from his campaign to unseat Biden. Despite the distractions, Trump leveraged the media coverage, making daily statements outside the courtroom about his perceived victimization.
Political analyst Keith Gaddie noted that the full impact of these events on the election remains uncertain. While it might not shift a large number of votes, it could influence key swing states, potentially affecting tight races.
As a convicted individual, Trump faces possible prison time, though legal experts suggest he may receive probation due to his status as a first-time offender. An appeal process could extend for months.
If Trump wins the presidency, he would not be able to pardon himself for this state-level conviction; only the governor of New York has that authority.
In addition to this case, Trump faces other legal challenges, including charges related to efforts to overturn the 2020 election results and the mishandling of classified documents post-presidency.
