In a historic verdict, former U.S. President Donald Trump was found guilty on all charges in a New York hush money case on Thursday, becoming the first former president in American history to be convicted of a crime.
A jury in Manhattan convicted Trump, 77, on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to a $130,000 hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels during his 2016 presidential campaign.
The prosecution argued that the payment and subsequent cover-up were part of an effort to suppress damaging information from voters ahead of the election. Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, testified in detail about the alleged affair with Trump in 2006.
Trump’s defense team maintained that he did nothing wrong, asserting that attempting to influence an election is part of the democratic process. They have announced plans to appeal the verdict.
Judge Juan Merchan set sentencing for July 11, just days before the Republican Party’s scheduled nomination of its presidential candidate for the upcoming November 5 election. Despite the conviction, Trump is expected to continue his campaign for the presidency.
The charges carry a maximum sentence of four years in prison, but legal experts suggest that Trump may receive a lesser sentence, such as fines or probation. Notably, incarceration would not legally prevent him from running for office or serving as president if elected.
Current President Joe Biden’s campaign issued a statement emphasizing that “no one is above the law” and highlighted the ongoing threat to democracy. Opinion polls indicate a tight race between Trump and Biden, with the conviction potentially impacting voter sentiment.
This case is one of several legal challenges facing Trump, but it may be the only one resolved before the 2024 election due to procedural delays in other cases.
The verdict ushers the United States into unprecedented territory as it prepares for the upcoming election, raising questions about the implications for the nation’s political landscape and democratic processes.
As the United States navigates this new chapter, nations around the world—including those in Asia—are closely monitoring the developments to understand their potential impact on international relations and global economic dynamics.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
