Trump avoids prison time, fines for New York felony conviction
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Attorney Todd Blanche and Donald Trump at the Manhattan criminal court on Jan. 10. Photo: Jabin Botsford/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
President-elect Trump received a no-penalty sentence in his New York hush money case Friday after the Supreme Court refused to intervene.
Why it matters: Trump is the first former (and returning) president convicted of a felony. The expected sentence of unconditional discharge — also recommended by prosecutors — means the conviction remains on his legal record.
- The sentencing, which Trump fought to delay or block altogether, comes just 10 days before his inauguration and White House return.
- The nation's high court on Thursday dashed a last-ditch bid by Trump's legal team to stop the proceeding.
- Judge Juan Merchan had already indicated that Trump wouldn't face jail time, after winning the 2024 election.
Driving the news: Trump, appearing remotely from Florida, said during the hearing that "this has been a very terrible experience," CNN reported.
- He described the case as a "political witch hunt" and a "setback" for New York and the state court system.
- "The fact is I'm totally innocent. I did nothing wrong," Trump said.
Merchan remarked by noting that "this has been a truly extraordinary case."
- In his statement to the court, Merchan discussed the limits of the protections of the presidency. He said "they do not reduce the seriousness of the crime or justify its commission in any way. One power they do not provide is the power to erase a jury verdict."
What they're saying: Trump celebrated the unconditional discharge sentence in a Truth Social post shortly after the hearing Friday, saying it proved "this whole Scam fully deserves to be DISMISSED."
- While the sentencing hearing had been a "despicable charade," his legal team would now press forward with an appeal, he added.
Catch up quick: Merchan wrote in a filing earlier this month that "unconditional discharge appears to be the most viable solution to ensure finality" and allow Trump to pursue his appellate options.
- A court may impose a sentence of unconditional discharge when it believes "no proper purpose would be served by imposing any condition upon the defendant's release," under New York law.
- This would mean that Trump would face no jail time, probation or fines, but would nevertheless serve as a mark on his permanent record.
- Merchan noted that prosecutors no longer viewed jail time "as a practicable recommendation" given Trump's election victory.
Flashback: A New York jury found Trump guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records last May.
- He was charged in connection with a $130,000 hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels over an alleged sexual encounter. Trump has repeatedly denied the affair.
- Since then, Trump's team has repeatedly tried to have his case thrown out under the Supreme Court's 2024 ruling that presidents have immunity for "official acts."
The big picture: Just last year, Trump faced four criminal indictments.
- Since his election win, two federal cases against him have been dropped.
- His Georgia election interference case was cast into further limbo after the Georgia Court of Appeals ruled to disqualify Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis late last month. She is appealing the decision.
Go deeper: Trump seeks to stop Smith releasing final report
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional developments.
