In a significant ruling on Friday, a New York judge upheld President-elect Donald Trump’s conviction in the hush money case but announced he will face no legal penalties.
Judge Juan Merchan rejected Trump’s legal team’s efforts to overturn the jury’s May verdict, which found Trump guilty on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. Trump’s conviction stems from allegations of payments made during the 2016 presidential campaign to silence claims of extramarital affairs.
A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for January 10, but Judge Merchan stated that Trump can attend either in person or virtually. The judge also indicated that the case is effectively concluded, signaling no further legal consequences for the president-elect.
Trump’s legal team has yet to comment on the ruling but previously stated they would appeal any sentencing before Inauguration Day on January 20.
Prosecution and Defense Responses
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office, which prosecuted the case, declined to comment on the judge’s decision. Trump’s attorneys had argued that his reelection in November rendered the case moot, but the court rejected this claim.
The hush money case marked a historic moment in U.S. legal and political history, making Trump the first former president to be convicted of felony charges.
With the case now largely resolved, the focus shifts to Trump’s upcoming inauguration and the broader legal landscape surrounding him, as he continues to face other pending cases across the country.