Donald Trump has been given unconditional discharge in the hush money case by Judge Juan Merchan. This ruling allows the president-elect to be released “without imprisonment, fine or probation supervision.”
“The only lawful sentence that permits entry of a judgment or conviction without encroaching upon the highest office of the land is an unconditional discharge,” Merchan said during the sentencing.
Trump, who is set to officially assume the presidency in 10 days, become the first US president – former or sitting – to face a criminal trial, let alone a guilty verdict and subsequent sentencing.
Trump had made a last-minute attempt to halt his sentencing after Merchan announced last week that it would proceed, but his appeals were rejected by the US Supreme Court.
Merchan handed down his sentence, noting that it is influenced by Trump’s recent presidential election victory:
“It was the citizenry of this nation that recently decided that once again you should have the benefits of those protections which include, among other things, the supremacy clause and presidential immunity. It is through that lens and that reality that this court must determine a lawful sentence.”
“This court has determined that the only lawful sentence that permits entry of judgment of conviction, without encroaching on the highest office of the land is unconditional discharge. Therefore, at this time, I impose that sentence to cover all 34 counts,” he added.
Merchan concluded with, “Sir, I wish you godspeed as you assume your second term in office.”
Trump was found guilty on May 30 of falsifying business records with the intent to commit a secondary crime.
Source : https://indianexpress.com/article/world/donald-trump-hush-money-sentencing-new-york-updates-9772032/
