On Friday, President-elect Donald Trump appeared virtually from his Mar-a-Lago residence for his sentencing in the New York “hush money” case. He was granted an unconditional discharge, meaning he faced no jail time or other restrictions ahead of his inauguration on January 20. Justice Juan Merchan, who had made a promise a week earlier, adhered to his commitment by giving Trump a sentence free of any conditions that could hinder his presidency.
Merchan explained that the decision stemmed from his belief that it was the only legal option, considering Trump was just 10 days away from assuming office. He remarked that while the trial had been extraordinary in nature, the trial itself had followed normal legal procedures. However, Merchan noted that the circumstances surrounding Trump’s sentencing were unprecedented due to his imminent return to the presidency. He clarified that the extraordinary nature of the case was not linked to Trump, but rather the legal protections afforded by the office of the president. “This has been a truly extraordinary case,” Merchan remarked. “But because of the office you once occupied and will soon occupy again, the legal protections afforded to the office were extraordinary.”
The judge emphasized that these protections, although significant, were not a mitigating factor. They did not reduce the seriousness of the crimes Trump was convicted for, nor did they erase the jury’s verdict. Merchan concluded that the only lawful sentence, one that did not encroach on the office of the president, was an unconditional discharge. He stated that had Trump been a civilian, he may not have received such leniency.
During the proceedings, Trump was seen virtually alongside his attorney, Todd Blanche. Trump had the opportunity to address the court, describing the trial as “a very terrible experience” and “a tremendous setback for New York.” He expressed his frustration at being indicted for what he believed was a legitimate expense. “With all the horrible things that are going on, I got indicted for calling a legal expense a legal expense,” Trump stated, referring to the falsified reimbursements that formed the heart of the case.
Trump called the investigation a “political witch hunt” aimed at damaging his reputation and preventing his victory in the 2016 election. “It was done to damage my reputation so that I’d lose the election, and obviously, that didn’t work,” he added. Trump also maintained his innocence, stating, “The fact is I’m totally innocent. I did nothing wrong.”
Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass, ahead of the sentencing, accused Trump of attacking the judicial system and prosecutors. He argued that Trump’s actions had been a direct assault on the rule of law and that the former president had not expressed any remorse for his crimes. “Far from expressing any kind of remorse for his criminal conduct, the defendant has purposefully bred disdain for our judicial institutions and the rule of law,” Steinglass stated. “He’s done this to serve his own ends, and to encourage others to reject the jury verdict that he finds so distasteful.”
Steinglass further argued that Trump’s actions had caused lasting harm to public perception of the criminal justice system, endangering officers of the court. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg was present in the courtroom but chose not to address the court during the proceedings.
Trump’s lawyer, Todd Blanche, disagreed with Steinglass’ assessment, claiming that not only Trump but also experts and many American citizens, particularly those who voted for Trump, felt the case should never have been pursued. He asserted that the prosecution was unjust and echoed Trump’s sentiment that the case was politically motivated. “It’s not just Trump and experts cited by Trump who feel the case should not have been brought, but the majority of the American people, particularly those who voted for the Republican in November,” Blanche stated.
Trump’s legal team had been battling Manhattan prosecutors since 2018, when the “hush money” investigation began. They contested subpoenas and rulings by Merchan, even taking their case to the U.S. Supreme Court multiple times. One such instance occurred earlier this week, when the court refused to intervene on Trump’s behalf, clearing the way for the sentencing.
After the high court’s decision, Trump expressed his thoughts, admitting that he found the Supreme Court’s decision fair. “I thought it was a fair decision, actually,” Trump said, noting that the justices had pointed out that Trump could appeal the case. However, he made it clear that an appeal was forthcoming. “But we’re going to appeal anyway,” he stated. “So, I’ll do my little thing tomorrow. They can have fun with their political opponent,” Trump added.
The courtroom, although without cameras, was the site of significant public interest. While the trial had attracted large crowds in earlier proceedings, the general public line for the sentencing was notably sparse. No onlookers were visible outside the courthouse on Friday morning, with no large crowds forming in the park across the street, a stark contrast to previous days.
In May, Trump had been found guilty by a jury of 34 felonies, including his role in authorizing a scheme to falsify records. This was done to cover up reimbursements for the $130,000 hush money payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels, who testified during the trial. Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen, who acted as his “fixer,” also provided testimony, confirming that the reimbursement was to silence Daniels regarding an alleged affair with Trump prior to the 2016 election. Multiple witnesses testified that Trump was relieved that the story did not break before the election.
Throughout the trial, Trump had been held in contempt 10 times by Merchan for violating a gag order that prevented him from making public statements about court witnesses, staff, and others involved in the case. The 10th contempt citation, which came just before sentencing, foreshadowed the likelihood of the discharge sentence. Merchan had made it clear during the trial that he was reluctant to imprison Trump. “The last thing I want to do is to put you in jail,” Merchan had said earlier in the proceedings.
As the sentencing concluded, Merchan extended a final remark to Trump, saying, “the only lawful sentence that permits entry of a judgment of conviction without encroaching on the highest office in the land is an unconditional discharge. Godspeed as you assume your second term in office.”