In a historic legal ruling, President-elect Donald Trump was sentenced to an unconditional discharge on Friday, following his conviction in the Manhattan hush-money case. This sentence spares Trump any jail time or fines, but marks him as the first U.S. president-elect to assume office with a felony conviction.
Trump Becomes First Former President with a Felony Conviction
“Never before has this court been presented with such a unique and remarkable set of circumstances,” stated Justice Juan Merchan during the sentencing. Merchan emphasized the balance between upholding the law and recognizing the constitutional protections for a sitting president.
Trump, appearing via video call from Florida with two American flags in the background, maintained his innocence. “This has been a very terrible experience,” he said, calling the case “politically motivated.” Trump reiterated his claim that the charges were an attempt to derail his re-election campaign.
The charges stemmed from a $130,000 payment made by Trump’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen, to adult film star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election. Prosecutors argued that Trump falsified business records to conceal the payment, which they claimed was aimed at influencing the election.
In May 2024, a Manhattan jury found Trump guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records. Justice Merchan delayed sentencing multiple times, with the final hearing coming just days before Trump’s second inauguration.
During the trial, prosecutors criticized Trump for undermining the judicial process. “Trump engaged in a coordinated campaign to breed disdain for our judicial institutions,” said Joshua Steinglass, a prosecutor from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office.
Despite the conviction, Merchan cited constitutional protections in his decision to impose an unconditional discharge. “The considerable legal protection afforded to the presidency overrides all other factors,” Merchan stated, though he clarified that such protections do not nullify the jury’s verdict.
Trump’s sentencing concludes a lengthy legal saga and a highly charged trial. The president-elect is expected to appeal the conviction, a process that could stretch into his second term.
As he closed the sentencing, Justice Merchan addressed Trump directly, saying, “I wish you Godspeed as you assume your second term in office.”