Former President Donald Trump has been found guilty on all 34 counts in his New York criminal hush money trial, marking the first time a former US president has been convicted in the country’s history.
The jury deliberated for two days before reaching a verdict. Trump’s sentencing is set for July 11, and New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan has allowed him to remain free without bail.
The case revolved around allegations that Trump falsified business records to hide a hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 presidential election. Prosecutors argued that Trump made the $130,000 payment to unlawfully influence the election.
The trial, which lasted over six weeks, involved the presumptive Republican presidential nominee. Trump’s conviction is a historic moment, with uncertain implications for the 2024 presidential election.
Speaking to the media after the jury began deliberations, Trump said, “Mother Teresa could not beat these charges. These charges are rigged. The whole country’s a mess between the borders and fake elections, and you have a trial like this where the judge is so conflicted he can’t breathe.”
He added, “It’s a disgrace. And I mean that. Mother Teresa could not beat those charges. But we’ll see. We’ll see how we do.”
Strategists quoted by The Hill suggested that Trump benefits from portraying the case as unfairly stacked against him, lowering expectations if he is convicted or allowing him to claim victory against a rigged system if acquitted.
Trump remarked, “I’ll stay around here. This is five weeks and five weeks of really essentially not campaigning, although I took a big lead in the polls over the last few weeks. Something is going on. Because I think the people of this country see that this is a rigged deal.”
As Trump’s trial began, many speculated about the future of the business mogul, who has faced four separate indictments. Despite his conviction, Trump can still run for president.
Ilya Somin, a professor of law at George Mason University, told The Hill, “It is certainly true that being convicted or even being in prison doesn’t prevent you from running for president or even from being elected.” He noted, however, that assuming office while in prison would present significant challenges.
Richard L. Hasen, a law professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, told CNN that Trump could still serve as president if reelected in 2024. “The Constitution has very few requirements to serve as president, such as being at least 35 years of age. It does not bar anyone indicted, or convicted, or even serving jail time, from running as president and winning the presidency,” Hasen explained, though he acknowledged the uncertainty of a president serving from prison.
Hasen also mentioned that Trump could potentially pardon himself if reelected, although this issue remains untested and might require a Supreme Court decision.
