audio tape of newly elected President Donald Trump The sentencing hearing in New York City was released to the public on Friday, marking an unprecedented sentencing against a former president, where Trump was ultimately sentenced to an unconditional discharge.
,This has been a very terrible experience,” Trump, who attended the criminal trial’s sentencing hearing virtually, said in a New York City courtroom Friday morning. “I think this has been a tremendous loss for New York and the New York court system. It’s a shock.”
“This is a case that Alvin Bragg didn’t want to bring. He thought from what I’ve read and from what I’ve heard, it was handled improperly before it got there. And a gentleman from a law firm came and the district attorney “, the President-elect continued. “And that gentleman, from what I heard, what he did was a criminal or almost criminal. It was very inappropriate. This was someone involved with my political opponent.”
“I think it’s an embarrassment to New York and New York has a lot of problems, but this is a huge embarrassment,” he said.
Donald Trump sentenced without penalty in New York criminal trial, judge wishes ‘godly speed’ in his second term
Judge Juan Marcheon, left, and President-elect Donald Trump.
At one point, Trump leaned forward, looking at Judge Juan Marchan, and referenced the November election, suggesting it represented a rejection of the case.
,This is a political witch hunt,” Trump said. “This was done to damage my reputation so that I would lose the election. And obviously, it didn’t work. And the people of our country got to see this firsthand because they watched the case in your courtroom. He got to see this firsthand. And then they voted and I won.”
Assistant District Attorney Josh Steinglass said there was ,overwhelming evidence to support the jury’s verdict” and was critical of Trump, claiming that the president-elect “has caused lasting damage to public perception about the criminal justice system and put court officials in harm’s way ., Comments he made publicly during the trial.
,What the government has said about this case, about the legality of what happened in this courtroom during the trial, and about President Trump’s conduct in fighting this case even before he was convicted Was ordained, I very, very much disagree. The jury’s decision, and even today,” Trump attorney Todd Blanch said in response to prosecutors.
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Former President Donald Trump appears in court for arraignment before Judge Juan Marchan after surrendering himself to New York authorities in New York County Criminal Court earlier this year. (Seth Wenig-Pool photo via USA TODAY)
During the hearing, Judge Juan Merchan defended the actions he took along the way.
“Sentencing is one of the most difficult decisions any criminal court judge is called upon to make,” Merchan said. “The court must consider the facts of the case along with any aggravating or mitigating circumstances,” he said.
Merchan reflected on the case, saying that “never before has this court been faced with such unique circumstances.” The judge said it was an “extraordinary case” with media interest and tight security, but said that once the courtroom doors were closed, the trial was “no more unique or extraordinary” than any other case. “.
Merchan acknowledged that significant legal protections have been provided to Trump, but argued that “the one power they do not provide is the power to overrule a jury verdict.”
,Sir, I pray for God’s speed on your second term in office,” Marchen said at the end of the hearing.
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Justice Juan Marchan instructs the jury before deliberations during the criminal trial of Republican presidential nominee and former President Donald Trump on charges that he silenced porn star Stormy Daniels in 2016 in Manhattan state court in New York City. Falsified business records to hide money paid. 29, 2024 in this courtroom sketch. (Reuters/Jane Rosenberg)
Marchan’s unconditional release sentence means no punishment is imposed: no jail time, fines or probation. The sentence also preserves Trump’s ability to appeal his conviction.
“After careful analysis, this court has determined the only valid sentence that allows entry of a guilty verdict is unconditional release,” Marchen said Friday. “At this time, I apply that sentence to cover all 34 cases.”
Trump’s team said in court that they would appeal the sentence and that he would be sworn in as the 47th President of the United States on January 20.
Fox News Digital’s Brooke Singman contributed to this report
