According to CCTV News, on May 30, local time, a jury in a New York court ruled that former U.S. President Trump was convicted of all 34 counts in the "hush money" case, and Trump's sentencing will be announced on July 11, a few days before Republicans will officially declare him the 2024 Republican presidential candidate. Trump became the first former president of the United States to be found guilty.
Previously, New York state prosecutors alleged that during Trump's 2016 campaign for the presidency of the United States, he entrusted his then-personal lawyer Cohen to pay $130,000 in "hush money" to star Daniels, so as not to prevent the latter from claiming that the peachy scandal with Trump in 2006 would affect the election; Trump then falsified business records and returned Cohen's advances in installments in the name of "attorneys' fees" to cover up his violations of New York state and federal election laws.
It is reported that Trump is guilty of 34 felony charges, and each of the charges can be sentenced to up to four years in prison. But Mr. Trump himself pleaded not guilty to the charges, saying the lawsuit against him was politically motivated. Trump said after the verdict on the 30th that the trial was instigated by the Biden administration in order to hurt political opponents, and that he was innocent, and hinted that he would appeal.
On May 28, local time, the trial of former US President Trump's "hush money" case was held in the Manhattan Criminal Court. Source: CCTV News
According to CNN, The New York Times and other US media, Trump's expression was flat when he learned of the verdict in court. But after walking out of the courtroom, Trump gritted his teeth and addressed the media. He declared the ruling "disgraceful" and "politically rigged" and declared with a solemn face that "the real verdict will be made by the people on November 5 [the US election]." ”
A CNN source familiar with Trump's situation said Trump is now "in good spirits and ready to fight."
Later that day, Trump posted a series of posts on social media platforms, calling for voter support to "save America", while announcing that he would hold a press conference at Trump Tower at 11 a.m. local time on the 31st.
CNN legal analysts said that "whether Trump feels remorse" will be one of the factors that judges consider when sentencing. As for how to sentence, "all options are possible," including incarceration, house arrest, probation, or doing community service, such as picking up trash on the subway. But historically, for most first-time offenders with Class E felonies (New York's least serious felony type), a jail sentence is unlikely.
Trump spoke to reporters as he walked out of the courtroom. Source: Screenshot of the US media video
Notably, the hush money case is the only one of the four criminal cases Trump faces that could be sentenced before this year's election day.
Some analysts have pointed out that, theoretically, Trump can be president even if he is in prison, and if Trump is really elected president, he can file a lawsuit to demand his release on the grounds that being in prison obstructs the fulfillment of the president's constitutional obligations.
According to reports, the president of the United States has the power to reduce his sentence and pardon him, but such an extreme use of presidential privileges will also be highly controversial and may turn into another lawsuit before the Supreme Court.
On May 30, local time, people who support and oppose Trump gathered outside the Manhattan Criminal Court. The picture shows anti-Trump people holding up a banner that reads "Trump is guilty." Source: AFP
Moreover, after Trump's incrimination, the response of both parties in the United States was quite the same, calling on supporters to see by vote on election day.
Trump's second son, Eric Trump, posted on social media platforms: "May 30, 2024, may be remembered as 'the date Trump wins the 2024 presidential election'. ”
Johnson, Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States Congress, strongly supported Trump, calling it "a shameful day in American history." In his statement, he accused the U.S. justice system of being weaponized, described the trial as a "purely political activity, not a legal activity," and said Trump would surely win after appealing.
Carolyn Levitt, a spokeswoman for the Trump campaign, said Trump received billions of dollars worth of media coverage throughout the trial; a number of mass rallies and campaigns in New York and elsewhere; Extended its lead in the polls and raised more campaign money than Biden and the Democrats in April. "In fact, it only makes him stronger," she said. ”
Biden responded: "The only way to stop Trump is to vote." Source: Biden's social media platforms
Instead of hailing victory after Trump's incrimination, U.S. President Joe Biden tweeted in response: "There's only one way to stop Trump from the White House now: through the ballot box." He also attached a link to a fundraising page.
The Biden campaign said in a statement that the verdict showed that "no one is above the law." However, the campaign admits that "today's verdict does not change the reality facing the American people." There is only one way to stop Trump from entering the White House: the ballot box. Convicted or not, Trump will be the Republican presidential nominee. ”
According to CNN, Biden's campaign sent a text message to supporters at the same time, warning that Trump is likely to "set a record for fundraising" after his guilty verdict. "Trump will use the money to try to return to the White House to carry out his threats of retaliation and punishment against his political opponents," the text message reads. The only way to defeat Trump is by ballot. ”
Source丨CCTV News, Observer Network, WeChat public account, "Governor of Chang'an Street", etc