Former President Donald Trump has been found guilty on all 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree in his historic and unprecedented criminal trial. The conviction marks the first time a former president of the United States has been convicted of a crime.
Former President Donald Trump was found guilty on all counts in his historic and unprecedented criminal trial, making him the first former president of the United States to be convicted of a crime.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg charged former President Trump with 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree, alleging that he concealed a $130,000 payment to pornographic performer Stormy Daniels in the lead-up to the 2016 election to silence her about an alleged affair with Trump in 2006. Trump pleaded not guilty to all counts.
After deliberating for two days, the jury found the former president guilty on all counts, each carrying a maximum prison sentence of 4 years. In total, Trump faces a maximum sentence of 136 years. Sentencing for the former president will be on July 11, just four days before the Republican National Convention, where he is expected to be formally nominated as the 2024 Republican presidential nominee.
Moments after the verdict was delivered, Trump spoke to reporters outside the courtroom, denouncing the trial as a "disgrace" and a "rigged trial by a conflicted judge." He attacked Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, claiming that he was a "Soros-backed DA" and that the case was politically motivated by the Biden administration.
Trump said that the real verdict would come from the people in the upcoming election, declaring that "millions and millions" of people were pouring into the country "right now from prisons and from mental institutions, terrorists. And they're taking over our country."
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg defended his office's actions, stating that they followed the facts and the law without fear or favor, and that the jury had reached a unanimous conclusion that Trump was guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Bragg noted that the jurors had heard from 22 witnesses, reviewed numerous documents, recordings, and other evidence.
In closing arguments this week, defense attorneys for Trump argued that he is innocent, did not commit any crimes, and that the prosecution "did not meet the burden of proof." They emphasized that the charges were based solely on documents and that not a single invoice was sent to Trump directly.
However, prosecutor Joshua Steinglass presented what he called "powerful evidence" against Trump, arguing that his intent to defraud was clear. Steinglass defended the prosecution's use of Michael Cohen as a witness, despite his history of lying, stating that Trump had chosen Cohen to be his "fixer" because he was willing to lie and cheat on his behalf.
The conviction does not bar Trump from running for president, but it casts a long shadow over his campaign. The Biden campaign reacted to the verdict by saying that Trump "has always mistakenly believed he would never face consequences for breaking the law for his own personal gain," but emphasized that "there is still only one way to keep Donald Trump out of the Oval Office: at the ballot box."
The verdict marks a historic moment in American history and raises profound questions about the accountability of high-ranking officials for their actions. As the legal process continues, the implications of this precedent-setting conviction will continue to be the subject of intense scrutiny and debate.
