In a historic and unprecedented verdict, a Manhattan jury has found former United States President Donald Trump guilty on all 34 counts of falsifying business records in connection with a hush money criminal trial.
This verdict marks the first time in U.S. history that a former president has been convicted of a felony. The trial, overseen by Judge Juan Merchan, concluded with the announcement of the guilty verdicts with Judge Merchan setting a sentencing hearing for July 11. Trump’s sentence will be at the judge’s discretion and could range from probation to prison time.
Prosecutors accused Trump of participating in an illegal conspiracy aimed at undermining the integrity of the 2016 presidential election. They argued that Trump engaged in an unlawful scheme to suppress negative information, which included concealing a hush money payment to an adult film star.
Despite the felony conviction, Trump, who is the presumptive GOP nominee for the 2024 presidential election, remains eligible to run for office. In response to the jury’s decision, Trump denounced the verdict as a “disgrace” and asserted that the “real verdict” would come during the presidential election on November 5.
President Joe Biden responded to the conviction on social media, stating that his 2024 rival can only be defeated at the ballot box. Biden’s message underscored the importance of the upcoming election in determining the future leadership of the United States.
The case has drawn significant attention due to its implications for the rule of law and the political landscape in the United States. As the United States awaits the sentencing in July, the focus will undoubtedly turn to how this historic conviction will impact Trump’s political ambitions and the broader electoral process.