Trump: First Former US President Convicted of Felonies

It was a historic moment as it marked the first time a former U.S. president was tried and convicted in a criminal case. This was also the first time one of Trump’s four indictments had gone to trial.

The charges against Trump revolved around falsifying internal business records to cover up hush money payments related to allegations that could damage his 2016 presidential campaign.

Central to the case were reimbursements to Trump’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen, for a $130,000 hush money payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels. The payments were falsely recorded as “legal expenses” to conceal their true nature.

The charges carry a maximum penalty of up to four years in prison. Trump, however, has denied any wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty.

Sentencing for Trump has been scheduled for July 11.

— Learn more about how Trump’s conviction affects the 2024 presidential race here

— Find out what to know about the guilty verdict in Trump’s hush money trial here

— Get an inside look at the courtroom as Trump learned of his conviction here

— Republican lawmakers offer defense for Trump after his conviction here

— Shares in Trump Media decline after former president’s conviction here

— Timeline of key events in Trump hush money case here

— Updates on Trump investigations and the status of the cases against him here

Yusef Salaam, an exonerated member of the “Central Park Five” and current New York City Councilmember, expressed his feelings about Trump’s guilty verdict.

Salaam, who was wrongfully imprisoned for rape in a case that sparked racial tensions in the late 1980s, said he takes no pleasure in the conviction, despite Trump’s past calls for his execution when he was proven innocent.

“We should be proud that today the system worked. But we should be somber that we Americans have an ex-President who has been found guilty on 34 separate felony charges,” Salaam wrote on social media.

“We have to do better than this. Because we are better than this,” Salaam added.

Former Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance commended his successor, Alvin Bragg, for conducting a successful trial amid difficult circumstances.

Vance called it an important case that upholds the rule of law. He expressed doubts about Trump receiving a prison sentence, citing the nature of the crimes and the political implications of jailing a potential presidential candidate.

“The idea of having him in custody is really hard to imagine, I think, given his role in the political theater of the country for the next six months,” Vance said.

Political strategists predict minimal fallout for Trump following his conviction, with his core supporters likely to be motivated by the case. The campaign saw a surge in donations after the verdict, causing the fundraising platform to crash temporarily.

Amid divided opinions, many agree that the convictions may not significantly affect Trump’s political standing, but the trial’s outcome could influence voter perceptions in the upcoming election.

Todd Blanche, Trump’s lawyer in the hush money trial, expressed intentions to appeal the judge’s choice not to recuse himself from the case.

In a Fox News interview, Blanche criticized the trial, stating that Trump did not receive a fair hearing. Trump and his legal team had raised concerns about bias from Judge Juan M. Merchan throughout the proceedings.

Despite the guilty verdict, Trump remains determined to challenge the court’s decision through the appeals process.

Shortly after the guilty verdict was announced, Donald Trump left Trump Tower to attend a fundraiser in New York City. The event had been scheduled before the verdict was delivered.

Despite the online fundraising platform briefly crashing, the campaign resumed fundraising efforts as Trump headed to the event.

Associated Press writer Michelle Price contributed to this story from New York.

Questions arise about the likelihood of Donald Trump receiving a prison sentence following his guilty verdict. The charges could lead to a maximum of four years in prison, but the judge has discretion in sentencing.

Trump’s sentencing is scheduled for July 11, just before the Republican nomination process. The outcome of the case may impact his political future and eligibility to run for office.

Following his sentencing, Trump has avenues for appeal in New York state’s trial court system. His legal team has laid the groundwork for appeals based on objections during the trial.

Defense lawyers may challenge the judge’s ruling on various issues, including alleged bias and limitations on expert testimony. The defense plans to raise these issues in potential appeals to overturn the guilty verdict.

Legal experts note the complexities of appealing a high-profile case like Trump’s, with potential challenges and controversies in the judicial process.