A Manhattan jury has found Donald Trump guilty of all 34 counts of falsifying business records in his hush money criminal trial, marking an unprecedented and historic verdict that makes him the first former president in U.S. history to be convicted of a felony. This case represents a significant legal and political milestone as Trump faces the possibility of prison time or probation.
Judge Juan Merchan has set a sentencing hearing for July 11. Prosecutors accused Trump of participating in an illegal conspiracy to undermine the integrity of the 2016 presidential election and of concealing a hush money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels to suppress negative information. Despite this felony conviction, Trump, the presumptive GOP nominee for 2024, remains eligible to run for office.
In response to the verdict, Trump called the jury’s decision a “disgrace” and vowed that the “real verdict” would come during the presidential election on November 5. President Joe Biden remarked on social media that Trump’s fate would ultimately be decided at the ballot box.
Trump’s conviction not only concludes his weekslong trial but also ushers in a new phase as the former president faces the possibility of a prison sentence or probation. Known for his lengthy appeals of court rulings, Trump is expected to appeal the conviction, which could significantly delay his sentencing.
**Key Points About the Case Following Trump’s Conviction:**
**Sentencing:** Judge Merchan has scheduled Trump’s sentencing for 10 a.m. ET on July 11. Trump will remain out of prison while awaiting his sentencing, with prosecutors not requiring him to post any bond.
**Appeal:** Trump’s attorney, Todd Blanche, requested an acquittal of the charges notwithstanding the guilty verdict, which Judge Merchan rejected. Trump is expected to appeal the conviction.
**Presidential Eligibility:** Despite the felony conviction, the U.S. Constitution does not bar a convicted criminal from running for president. According to UCLA law professor Richard L. Hasen, the Constitution requires only that a candidate be at least 35 years old, a natural-born citizen, and a resident of the U.S. for at least 14 years.
**Voting Rights:** As a Florida resident, Trump’s right to vote in the November election will depend on whether he is sentenced to prison and whether he has completed his sentence by then. Florida’s felon voting prohibitions apply to out-of-state convictions, but the state defers to the laws of the state where the conviction occurred regarding how felons can regain their voting rights.
For more details on the aftermath of Trump’s guilty verdict, stay tuned to further updates from CNN, CNC3, and Njenje Media News.
Please, subscribe to our Channel and follow us on these social media handles:
📲 Telegram: https://t.ly/zXpB7
📸Facebook: https://t.ly/52TQW
🎙YouTube: https://t.ly/_97J6
🎥Instagram: https://t.ly/gzBay
WhatsApp Channel: https://t.ly/Mmcs_
