Article

2025-01-10 -Land of the Free

BREAKING NEWS: Donald Trump is sentenced to unconditional discharge in Stormy Daniels hush money case as he becomes first US president with criminal conviction

[Daily Mail, where America gets its news] Donald Trump was officially sentenced in the New York hush money case involving porn star Stormy Daniels, putting him on track to become the first convicted felon to be sworn in as President of the United States.

The President-elect, 78, appeared virtually for his hearing on Friday in Manhattan Criminal Court where Judge Juan Merchan sentenced him to an unconditional discharge.

The 'no-penalty' sentence, which finalizes his criminal conviction of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records from his trial in May, means the incoming president will avoid jail time, hefty fines, and probation.

Although a slap on the wrist, it will go on his permanent record and make him the first American president to take the White House as a convicted felon when he is sworn in on January 20.

It was a show trial, and everyone knows it. Congrats, guys, you’re going to be in law courses and PoliSci text books for the next couple of centuries as an example of what not to do.

Speaking to the court via Zoom before learning his fate, Trump described the proceedings as a 'very terrible experience' and claimed it was a case Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg never wanted to bring.

'This has been a political witch hunt, it was done to damage my reputation so I would lose the election,' he said, sitting alongside his attorney Todd Blanche.

'The people of our country got to see this first hand and voted, I won and got the largest number of votes of any Republican candidate in history.'

Trump also attacked his former fixer and a key witness in the case Michael Cohen, calling him a 'totally discredited person.'

He added: 'I'm innocent, I did nothing wrong. The business records were extremely accurate, it was done by an accountant who gave very credible testimony.

'With all that's happening in our country today, with the city burning to the ground... with all of the problems going on... I got indicted over calling a legal expense a legal expense.

'I think it's an embarrassment to New York,' he continued.

Explaining his decision, Judge Merchan called it 'the only lawful sentence' the court could impose 'without encroaching on the highest office of the land'.

'The legal protections afforded to the office of the President have been laid out by our founders, the conditions, and the United States Supreme Court,' he added.

'The considerable indeed extraordinary legal protections afforded by the chief executive is a fact that overrides all others'.

The judge, however, noted that the protections of the Presidency 'are not a mitigating factor' for the crime.

'They do not reduce the seriousness of the crime or justifies its commission in any way. One power they do not provide is the power to erase a jury verdict.

Posted by Skidmark 2025-01-10 10:31|| || Front Page|| [11144 views ] Top

#1 WTF? Does SCOTUS have its head up its ass. Wasn't it just back in July that they came up with their POTUS immunity ruling. A lot of inconsistencies in the court.

Judge Juan Merchan is conflicted. Kangaroo court w/show trial with Soros backed Prosecutor.

Posted by JohnQC 2025-01-10 10:55|| 2025-01-10 10:55|| Front Page Top

#2 Somehow, I feel that Juan's troubles are just starting.

Posted by Grom the Reflective 2025-01-10 10:57|| 2025-01-10 10:57|| Front Page Top

#3 Part of the Biden legacy. Turning government into crap.

Posted by JohnQC 2025-01-10 11:01|| 2025-01-10 11:01|| Front Page Top

#4 He has a face only a glory hole could love, speaking of for real hush money.

Posted by swksvolFF 2025-01-10 11:03|| 2025-01-10 11:03|| Front Page Top

#5 NOW the appeals for trial errors and hackery can go forward

Posted by Frank G 2025-01-10 11:09|| 2025-01-10 11:09|| Front Page Top

#6 #2 -- A point to consider is that judges have to pay federal taxes like anyone else. Which means they have to file tax returns. Which can be audited. Not that Trump would order such a thing at 12:01 on January 20th.

Posted by Matt 2025-01-10 11:38|| 2025-01-10 11:38|| Front Page Top

#7 Trump and his opponents both seem to missing a point in this.

Now that Trump has been sentenced to no time in jail he may not be re-sentenced in 2029 (and the original conviction may be appealed). If the sentencing had been postponed to 2029, he could have faced jail time and Trump could not have appealed). So, to my way of thinking, the Trump lawyers should not have asked for a postponement and the anti Trump lawyers should have.

Posted by Lord Garth 2025-01-10 12:21|| 2025-01-10 12:21|| Front Page Top

#8 Trump faked 'em out.

Posted by Bobby 2025-01-10 12:40|| 2025-01-10 12:40|| Front Page Top

#9 Plus now he can appeal the ruling and the appeals court has already hinted they will overturn this garbage.

Posted by DarthVader 2025-01-10 13:52|| 2025-01-10 13:52|| Front Page Top

#10 So, to my way of thinking, the Trump lawyers should not have asked for a postponement and the anti Trump lawyers should have.

If I understand this correctly, Trump got a better outcome despite not getting what he "wanted". I don't buy into all the 4D chess stuff, but given that The Other Side will automatically oppose whatever Trump does, you have got to wonder if this was a plan.

From what I have read, the decision by Roberts & Co hinged on the fact that the judge said he was going with unconditional discharge. My only surprise is that the judge did not pull a fast one and give him time.

Posted by SteveS 2025-01-10 13:53|| 2025-01-10 13:53|| Front Page Top

#11 ^
If Merchan would have given him jail time it would have been stayed by a higher court within an hour, then Merchan would have been cited for misbehavior.
But, yes, now that the sentence has been pronounced, Trump's team can proceed with appeals. And yes, if the sentencing would have been postponed (as Trump's lawyers wanted), the sentencing could not have been appealed. Furthermore, if the sentencing was postponed, a future court could consider all kinds pronouncement by Trump during the Trump presidency as detrimental and given him a jail sentence.

Posted by Lord Garth 2025-01-10 14:03|| 2025-01-10 14:03|| Front Page Top

#12 Trump can expunge himself and all the J6'ers.

Posted by The Walking Unvaxed 2025-01-10 18:34|| 2025-01-10 18:34|| Front Page Top

#13 I think it was the easiest 'out' they could come up with.

Now we can get Smooth Criminal memes every time a hammer drops.

Posted by swksvolFF 2025-01-10 20:09|| 2025-01-10 20:09|| Front Page Top

14:04 swksvolFF
13:47 Regular joe
13:43 swksvolFF
13:38 swksvolFF
13:34 swksvolFF
13:31 Abu Uluque
13:25 Heribertus Vedente
13:24 mossomo
13:20 Abu Uluque
13:14 mossomo
13:06 swksvolFF
12:51 Grom the Affective
12:31 Abu Uluque
12:20 swksvolFF
12:17 Abu Uluque
12:08 swksvolFF
12:08 ed in texas
12:05 ed in texas
12:01 ed in texas
12:00 ed in texas
11:58 ed in texas
11:56 ed in texas
11:55 Grom the Affective
11:53 Grom the Affective