Donald Trump Receives Unconditional Discharge in Hush Money Case Ahead of Inauguration
President-elect Donald Trump is sentenced to an unconditional discharge in his hush money case, becoming the first U.S. president with a felony conviction.
What’s a fitting punishment for a President who breaks the law? America has never been quite sure.
Donald Trump Bemoans the Injustice of Facing No Consequences
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Even though six of the nine justices are Republican appointees, including three nominated by Trump himself, that does not mean he can count on the Court to rule in his favor.
Trump's latest defeat is one of many decisions that suggest SCOTUS won't rubber-stamp his agenda
Reason·3M·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.I think it’s been a tremendous setback for New York and the New York court system. ... I think it’s an embarrassment to New York, and New York has a lot of problems, but this is a great embarrassment.
Excerpts from President-elect Donald Trump’s sentencing
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Almost palpably agonized, Merchan on Friday told Trump: “This court has determined that the only lawful sentence that permits entry of a judgment of conviction without encroaching upon the highest office in the land is an unconditional discharge.”
A Judge Finally Faced Down Donald Trump’s Disdain for the Legal System
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The only lawful sentence that permits entry of a judgement of conviction without encroaching on highest office in land is an unconditional discharge.
What happened at Trump's "hush money" sentencing? A timeline of his trial from inside the court
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Trump is now the first former or incoming U.S. president to be criminally sentenced.
New York Judge Juan Merchan made Donald Trump sentencing audio available
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Trump's popularity could allow him to pass his agenda easily through Congress if Republicans rally around him. It could also strengthen the likelihood of another MAGA candidate becoming the GOP's nominee in the next presidential election, further entrenching Trump's populist and nationalist vision within the party's platform.
Donald Trump's second presidency set for a rocky start
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While the move was expected, he’s now a convicted felon 10 days before the start of his second term.
Trump sentenced in hush money case: no jail, no conditions
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President-elect Trump was given no penalty in his New York hush money case this morning, but his felony conviction was cemented.
12:30 Report — Trump avoids jailtime, fine in hush money case
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It's just the stigma of now being a convicted felon and in ten days being the first president to be sworn in as the president of the United States as a convicted felon.
Donald Trump Gets No Jail Time in Hush Money Case
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Despite multitudes of evidence showing wrongdoing in the criminal cases brought toward Trump, he has often complained about supposed “lawfare” used against him. But Trump himself has promised to weaponize the law during his next term, repeatedly stating that he will use the DOJ to go after his political adversaries.
Trump Sentenced by New York Court After Supreme Court Denies Effort to Block Court Hearing
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Part of the problem with this is that Trump, his overwrought complaints notwithstanding, was hardly punished at all.
Following criminal sentence, Trump turns to supporters for money
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This is a case that Alvin Bragg did not want to bring... It’s been a political witch hunt. It was done to damage my reputation so that I’d lose the election and obviously that didn’t work.
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While the sentencing doesn't include a jail term or fine, Judge Merchan's decision still upholds Trump’s conviction while freeing him to return to the White House.
Trump Sentenced to No Prison and No Fines in NY Case
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Once considered the premier legal system in the country, figures like New York Attorney General Letitia James, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, Justices Arthur F. Engoron and Juan Merchan have caused the system to be weaponized for political purposes.
JONATHAN TURLEY: Trump's trial shows NY couldn't handle the truth. Sentence rams that home
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Donald Trump, the ordinary citizen, Donald Trump the criminal defendant, would not be entitled to such considerable protections.
Listen to audio of Judge Merchan’s sentence of Trump in hush money case
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Merchan’s sentence makes Trump the first convicted felon to ever assume the presidency in the United States.
Listen: Judge Merchan releases recording of remarks in Trump’s 'hush money' sentencing
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After careful consideration, he had determined that "the only lawful sentence, without encroaching upon the highest office of the land", was unconditional discharge - a sentence that would allow the American people a president unencumbered by pending court proceedings.
Trump avoids prison or fine in sentencing of unconditional discharge
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Justice Juan Merchan sentenced President-elect Donald Trump to an unconditional discharge in the Manhattan business records case on Friday, which does not penalize him, though it upholds the jury’s felony conviction.
Juan Merchan Sentences Trump: No Penalty, Conviction Upheld
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Today’s event was a despicable charade, and now that it is over, we will appeal this Hoax, which has no merit, and restore the trust of Americans in our once great System of Justice.
BREAKING: Trump says NY sentencing is ‘despicable charade,’ vows to appeal
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The expected sentence of unconditional discharge — also recommended by prosecutors — means the conviction remains on his legal record.
Trump avoids prison time, fines for New York felony conviction
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This has been a very terrible experience. I think it’s been a tremendous setback for the American court system.
‘Totally Innocent’: Trump Unleashes On Judge Merchan During Sentencing Hearing
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Regardless of the outcome, Trump, a Republican, will become the first person convicted of a felony to assume the presidency.
Days before he returns to the White House, Trump to be sentenced in New York hush money case
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"This has been a tremendous setback for New York and the New York court system," he said.
Trump sentencing live updates: Trump sentenced to unconditional discharge
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Merchan has suggested that he’s unlikely to sentence Trump to prison. Instead, he’s expected to impose the most lenient sentencing given the extraordinary circumstances surrounding the president-elect’s imminent inauguration.
Trump to be sentenced in New York hush money case
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But Merchan's actions will formally make Trump the first criminal convict ever to occupy the Oval Office.
Trump to be sentenced in New York for hush money case conviction
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Trump is the first former US president to be criminally prosecuted and the first former president convicted of a crime.
Trump sentencing to proceed in New York after Supreme Court rejects appeal
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The high court did not reach the merits of District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s prosecution, which secured 34 guilty verdicts against the president-elect.
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Regardless of the outcome, Trump will become the first person convicted of a felony to assume the presidency.
Trump to Be Sentenced in Hush-Money Case
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Trump After Sentencing: I Will Appeal 'This Hoax'
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Bragg’s prosecution of Trump for an underlying federal campaign violation in a state court is a first in all of U.S. history.
Trump’s Sentencing Marks the End of a Saga That Helped Him Get Reelected
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Merchan said that in weighing all the factors and concerns about presidential immunity, a sentence of “unconditional discharge appears to be the most viable solution”.
Donald Trump to be sentenced in New York hush-money case
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In light of that, New York state Judge Juan Merchan has indicated he does not plan on sentencing Trump to prison or even probation, and is instead likely to offer an "unconditional discharge," meaning the president-elect must do nothing, but the conviction will remain on his record.
Trump set for sentencing in his New York felony conviction
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Trump faces sentencing in a case that underscores his legal vulnerabilities and raises questions about the implications for his political future.
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Donald Trump’s winning streak at the Supreme Court has come to an end.
Supreme Court Denies Trump Another Win, Allows His Sentencing to Proceed
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The burden that sentencing will impose on the President-Elect’s responsibilities is relatively insubstantial in light of the trial court’s stated intent to impose a sentence of 'unconditional discharge' after a brief virtual hearing.
Supreme Court declines to stop sentencing in Trump hush money case
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Ultimately, the Biden/Harris DOJ forced Bragg to concoct anything to embarrass TRUMP. But it was even more so what the CORRUPT and TOTALLY CONFLICTED POLITICAL HACK Judge did, and is doing, on this sham trial.
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Several justices’ impartiality towards Trump is in serious doubt. Ginni Thomas, the wife of Justice Clarence Thomas, encouraged efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
Supreme Court Allows Trump’s Felony Sentencing to Proceed
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Trump’s attorneys called the case politically motivated, and they said sentencing him now would be a “grave injustice” that threatens to disrupt the presidential transition as the Republican prepares to return to the White House.
Supreme Court rejects Trump’s bid to delay sentencing in his New York hush money case
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The decision means Trump will be the first president to have a felony on his record when he takes the oath of office on Jan. 20.
Supreme Court turns down Trump plea to block New York sentencing for hush money conviction
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The high court ruled that the “burden” the sentencing would impose on Trump’s White House transition responsibilities would be minimal and that any complaints the president-elect has with “evidentiary violations” in the case could be dealt with by lower courts.
Supreme Court denies Trump’s bid to halt sentencing in NYC ‘hush money’ case
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The president-elect said that the opinion written by Merchan 'goes against our Constitution, and, if allowed to stand, would be the end of the Presidency as we know it.'
Supreme Court Rejects Trump’s Request to Stop Sentencing in New York Case
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Trump is now almost certain to be sentenced Friday, an unprecedented outcome that will see him become the first felon to be president.
Supreme Court Denies Trump Bid To Halt Sentencing In Hush Money Case
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Summary
President-elect Donald Trump has been sentenced to an unconditional discharge in his New York hush money case, avoiding jail time despite a conviction on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. The sentencing, which lasted less than half an hour, took place on January 10, 2025, just 10 days before his inauguration. Judge Juan Merchan stated that while the case's circumstances were unique, they did not lessen the severity of the crimes. Trump's defense team plans to appeal, asserting political motives behind the case.
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