The soundtrack of President-elect Donald Trump The sentencing hearing in New York City was made public on Friday, providing insight into the unprecedented conviction against a former president that ultimately saw Trump sentenced to unconditional discharge.
“This has been a very terrible experience,” said Trump, who attended the criminal case hearing virtually New York City courtroom on Friday morning. “I think it’s been a huge setback for New York and the justice system in New York.”
“This is a case that Alvin Bragg did not want to bring up. He thought it was because of what I read and heard, and that it had been handled inappropriately before he got there. And a gentleman from a law firm came in and acted as prosecutor. ,” the president-elect continued. “And that gentleman was, from what I heard, a criminal or almost criminal in what he did. It was very inappropriate. It was someone who was involved with my political opponent.”
“I think it’s an embarrassment to New York and New York has a lot of problems, but this is a great shame,” he added.
Judge Juan Merchan, left, and President-elect Donald Trump.
At one point, Trump leaned forward, looking at Judge Juan Merchan, and referred to the November election, suggesting it represented a dismissal of the case.
“It has been a political witch hunt,” Trump explained. “It was done to damage my reputation so that I would lose the election. And of course that didn’t work. And the people of our country have seen this firsthand because they watched the case in your courtroom. They got to see this first hand. And then they voted, and I won.”
Assistant District Attorney Josh Steinglass stated that it was “overwhelming evidence supporting the jury’s verdict” and was critical of Trump, claiming the president-elect has “done lasting damage to the public’s perception of the criminal justice system and endangered officers of the court” with the comments he made publicly during the trial.
“I strongly, strongly disagree with much of what the administration has just said about this case, about the legitimacy of what happened in this courtroom during the trial and about President Trump’s conduct in fighting this case, prior to the charge against the case while it was being arraigned. the jury’s verdict, and even to this day,” Trump’s lawyer Todd Blanche said in response to the prosecutor.
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Former President Donald Trump appears in court for arraignment before Judge Juan Merchan following his surrender to New York authorities at New York County Criminal Court earlier this year. (Seth Wenig-Pool photo via USA TODAY)
During the hearing Judge Juan Merchan defended the actions he took along the way.
“Sentencing is one of the most difficult decisions any criminal judge must make,” Merchan said, noting that the court must “consider the facts of the case, along with any aggravating or mitigating circumstances.”
Merchan reflected on the case, saying that “never before has this court been confronted with such a unique set of circumstances.” The judge said it was an “extraordinary case” with media interest and increased security, but said once the courtroom doors were closed, the trial itself was “no more unique or extraordinary” than any other case.
Merchan acknowledged that Trump has significant legal protections, but argued that “one power they do not provide is the power to erase a jury verdict.”
“Sir, I wish you the best of luck as you take on the second term,” Merchan said at the end of the hearing.
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Judge Juan Merchan instructs the jury before deliberations during the criminal trial of Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump on allegations that he falsified business records to hide money paid to silence porn star Stormy Daniels in 2016 the Manhattan District Court in New York City, on May 29, 2024 in this courtroom sketch. (REUTERS/Jane Rosenberg)
Merchan’s unconditional discharge sentence means no punishment will be imposed: no jail time, fines or probation. The ruling also preserves Trump’s ability to appeal the conviction.
“After careful analysis, this court has determined that only a lawful sentence that allows for the entry of a conviction is an unconditional discharge,” Merchan said Friday. “At this time, I am imposing that sentence to cover all 34 charges.”
Trump’s team said in court that they will appeal the conviction, and that he will be sworn in as the 47th president of the United States on January 20.
Fox News Digital’s Brooke Singerman contributed to this report
