Article Summary –
Former President Donald Trump has been found guilty on all 34 felony counts by a Manhattan jury, marking the first time a current or former president has been convicted on criminal charges in US history. The charges relate to Trump falsifying business records in paying hush money to adult film actress Stormy Daniels in the closing days of the 2016 campaign. Despite this historic conviction, experts suggest that the outcome might have little impact on the presidential elections, with Trump still considered the Republican nominee for president.
Former President Donald Trump Convicted on All Felony Counts
Former President Donald Trump, the expected Republican presidential nominee, was convicted on all 34 felony counts by a Manhattan jury. The jury unanimously agreed that Trump falsified business records relating to hush money paid to an adult film actress during the 2016 campaign. This conviction marks a historic precedent as it’s the first time a current or former U.S. president has been convicted on criminal charges.
Trump declined to answer questions from reporters post-verdict, denouncing the trial as “rigged” and “disgraceful”. He alleged the trial was orchestrated by a political rival to thwart his election chances, however, he insisted the real verdict would be decided by the people in the upcoming election.
The case centered around a $130,000 hush money payment, made by Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen to adult film star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential election. Cohen pleaded guilty in 2018 to tax fraud, campaign finance violations, and making false statements about this payment to Congress.
The Historical Verdict’s Impact on the Presidential Election
Despite the historic nature of Trump’s conviction, its impact on the presidential election remains uncertain. James Patterson, a political science professor, opined that the verdict “likely makes no difference in the likely outcome of the election.”
While some view the conviction as a defining moment for the Republican party, others have expressed concerns about the trial process. Robert P. George, a prominent Catholic American legal scholar, voiced reservations stating, “the ‘lawfare’ waged against him for transparently political reasons, leading now to a criminal conviction, constitutes a serious threat to our constitutional order.”
Reactions From Both Sides
Meanwhile, Michael Tyler, communications director for the Biden-Harris campaign, remarked, “In New York today, we saw that no one is above the law.” He insisted the only way to keep Trump out of the Oval Office is at the ballot box, regardless of his status as a convicted felon.
Additional reactions from the Catholic community varied significantly on social media. Some celebrated the conviction as a triumph of justice, while others depicted it as a politically motivated action.
Trump’s sentencing is scheduled for July 11, after the first scheduled debate between Trump and President Joe Biden, and days before the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
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