Hush money case: Donald Trump becomes first US President-elect convicted as felon, avoids jail due to presidential immunity
PTC Web Desk: Donald Trump has made history as the first felon to take office as President of the United States after a New York court upheld his conviction in a high-profile hush money case involving adult film actress Stormy Daniels. Despite being found guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records in May 2024, the former President will not face jail time or penalties due to his upcoming inauguration on January 20.
Judge Juan Merchan, who presided over the case, sentenced Donald Trump to an "unconditional discharge," citing the unique circumstances surrounding the case and the constitutional protections afforded to the presidency. "This court has determined that the only lawful sentence permitting entry of a judgment of conviction without encroaching on the highest office of the land is an unconditional discharge," the judge explained in his ruling.
While the charges carried potential imprisonment of up to four years, the court ruled out incarceration due to the immunity that shields the President while in office. "Never before has this court been presented with such a unique and remarkable set of circumstances," Merchan remarked.
Case Background and Legal Proceedings
The case revolved around Donald Trump’s alleged attempts to cover up unaccounted payments to Daniels during his 2016 presidential campaign. Witnesses testified that the payments were made to prevent Daniels from disclosing details of her relationship with Trump, a revelation that could have influenced the election outcome.
Trump, who attended the final hearing virtually, criticised the legal proceedings, describing them a politically motivated attack. “This has been a terrible experience, orchestrated to damage my reputation and influence the election,” he said.
The legal battle reached the US Supreme Court earlier, where Donald Trump unsuccessfully argued to halt the sentencing. His failure to overturn the conviction left the New York court with limited options but to impose a sentence compatible with constitutional mandates.
Despite the conviction, Donald Trump remains defiant, describing the legal process as a “setback for the New York court system.” He maintained his innocence, asserting that the charges were part of an effort to derail his political career.
- With inputs from agencies
