- Verdict shows no one above law, Biden’s campaign says
- Trump calls verdict a disgrace, proclaims innocence
- Trump falsified documents to cover up hush money payment to Stormy Daniels
Donald Trump has become the first US president convicted of felony. A New York jury found him guilty of falsifying documents to cover up a payment meant to silence porn star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election. This landmark verdict marks a significant moment in American politics and judicial history.
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Trump is charged with committing felonies, despite the fact that manipulating records is typically regarded as a lesser misdemeanor. This indicates a more serious offence, which could result in imprisonment if the maximum punishment is imposed. Trump, 45th former U.S. president to face criminal charges, was convicted by Manhattan prosecutors of concealing a breach of election rules during his successful 2016 campaign. The two women involved in Trump’s case of hush money payments are adult film actor Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal.
The Verdict and Its Implications
After two days of deliberation, the 12-member jury unanimously found Trump guilty on all 34 felony counts. As the verdict was read, Trump watched the jurors dispassionately. Justice Juan Merchan has set the sentencing for July 11, just days before the Republican Party is scheduled to formally nominate Trump for presidential candancy ahead of the November 5 election.
The crime of falsifying business documents carries a maximum sentence of four years in prison, though those convicted often receive shorter sentences, fines, or probation. Incarceration would not legally prevent Trump from campaigning or taking office if he were to win.
Trump will not be jailed ahead of sentencing, but the verdict plunges the United States into uncharted territory as he seeks to win back the White House from Democratic President Joe Biden.
Trump’s Response and Public Reaction
Donald Trump, 77, has denied any wrongdoing. His attorney announced plans to appeal the verdict as quickly as possible.
‘This was a disgrace,’ Trump told reporters afterward, proclaiming his innocence and alleging that the trial had been rigged against him. ‘The real verdict is going to be November 5 by the people,’ he declared.
Trump’s motorcade left the courthouse with the former president giving a thumbs-up sign through the tinted window of his SUV. Supporters stood in a park opposite the courthouse, joined by journalists, police, and onlookers.
Opinion polls show Trump and Biden, 81, locked in a tight race. Reuters/Ipsos polling indicates that a guilty verdict could cost Trump some support among independent and Republican voters.
Trump’s hush money payment case: The path to the guilty verdict
The case against Trump for falsifying business documents is widely regarded as the least consequential of the four criminal prosecutions he faces. However, this verdict looms large as it is likely to be the only one resolved before the election, with others delayed by procedural challenges.
The jury found Trump guilty after a five-week trial that featured explicit testimony from Stormy Daniels about a sexual encounter she claims occurred in 2006, which Trump denies. Michael Cohen, Trump’s former fixer, testified that Trump approved a $130,000 hush money payment to Daniels during the final weeks of the 2016 election to silence allegations of sexual misconduct.
Cohen testified that he handled the payment and that Trump approved a plan to reimburse him through monthly payments disguised as legal work. Despite Trump’s lawyers questioning Cohen’s credibility due to his criminal record and history of lying, the jury found the evidence compelling.
Political and Legal Ramifications
The relatively short deliberation time suggested that the jury found sufficient evidence to support Cohen’s testimony. Legal experts believe Trump’s appeal will face long odds, particularly given the explicit nature of Daniels’ testimony and the solid legal foundation of the case.
A source familiar with the Trump campaign indicated that the verdict might prompt Trump to intensify discussions on picking a female vice-presidential running mate. His campaign website labeled him a ‘political prisoner’ and urged supporters to donate.
Trump’s words on the allegation
Donald Trump, who is vying for the Republican nomination in the 2024 presidential election, has denied the accusations against him, asserting that they are politically motivated. In recent weeks, he has leveraged these legal challenges to rally his supporters and fundraise for his campaign. Despite the criminal charges, US law does not bar candidates from running for election.
In a fundraising email sent on Friday, Trump declared, ‘I am not afraid of what’s to come.’ Stormy Daniels, who claims to have had a sexual encounter with Trump in 2006, expressed her satisfaction with the indictment in an interview with The Times, a UK newspaper. She also criticized Trump for his involvement in the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack and his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election results.
Trump is currently under investigation for several other criminal cases, including his role in the Capitol attack and his handling of classified documents.
Media reports indicate that Trump faces over 30 counts of business fraud. However, his lawyer, Joe Tacopina, has stated that he is not certain of the exact number of charges, although he previously estimated there would be 34.
Biden Campaign and Republican Reactions
Joe Biden’s campaign stated that the verdict underscored that no one is above the law, urging voters to reject Trump in the upcoming election. ‘There is still only one way to keep Donald Trump out of the Oval Office: at the ballot box,’ the campaign emphasized.
The White House declined to comment, while Trump’s fellow Republicans quickly condemned the verdict. ‘Today is a shameful day in American history,’ said House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson.
Conclusion
As the legal and political ramifications unfold, the conviction of Donald Trump underscores the complexities of American jurisprudence and the deep political divisions in the country. The impending appeal and the upcoming election promise to further intensify these dynamics, keeping the nation on edge as it navigates this unprecedented chapter in its history.
