USA New York judge upholds guilty verdict against Trump
US President-elect Donald Trump has failed in his attempt to overturn the sentence imposed on him in New York for concealing hush money payments. The judge in charge, Juan Merchan, upheld the guilty verdict against the Republican.
17.12.2024, 02:34
SDA
Trump's lawyers had argued that US presidents enjoy extensive immunity for acts in office according to a ruling by the US Supreme Court. However, Judge Merchan explained that this ruling did not apply in this case, as the hush money payments to a porn actress in question took place before Trump's first presidency from 2017 to 2021. Furthermore, the payments were made as a private individual.
Trump's lawyers had also argued that the statements made by White House staff had also used official sources and thus compromised the integrity of the process. The judge did not accept this argument.
Trump's lawyers continue to challenge the guilty verdict
However, the rejected motion is not the only one aimed at legally exonerating the future US president. In another case, his team is arguing that the outgoing incumbent Joe Biden pardoned his son Hunter and justified this with "unjust" and politically motivated treatment by the judiciary - Trump fell victim to the same kind of "political theater", which is why the conviction is null and void, according to the lawyers. A decision on this is still pending.
The trial concerned the illegal concealment of 130,000 dollars in hush money that Trump had paid to a porn actress - with the aim of gaining advantages in the 2016 election campaign, according to the court. A jury in New York found Trump guilty of 34 charges at the end of May. It was the first time in the history of the United States that a former president was convicted of a criminal offense. If the conviction stands, Trump will be the first US president to govern as a convicted felon.
When Trump could receive his sentence
It remained unclear when Judge Merchan might decide on Trump's sentence. The public prosecutor's office has already shown itself open to postponing the sentencing until after the end of the Republican's second term in office in 2029. An announcement of the sentence before Trump's inauguration on January 20 seems unrealistic. In the worst case scenario, he would face several years in prison. However, a suspended sentence or fine is considered more likely.
