As The New York Times reports:
After months of delay, President-elect Donald J. Trump’s New York criminal case culminated on Friday with the nation’s former and future president avoiding jail, but becoming a felon.
“Never before has this court been presented with such a unique and remarkable set of circumstances,” the trial judge, Juan M. Merchan, said at Mr. Trump’s sentencing. “This has been truly an extraordinary case.”
He then imposed a so-called unconditional discharge of Mr. Trump’s sentence, a rare and lenient alternative to jail or probation. Explaining the leniency, Justice Merchan acknowledged Mr. Trump’s inauguration 10 days hence…
…Despite the lenience, the proceeding carried symbolic importance: It formalized Mr. Trump’s status as a felon, making him the first to carry that dubious designation into the presidency. [Pols emphasis]
Mr. Trump appeared virtually, his scowl projected onto a screen in a chilly and bright Lower Manhattan courtroom filled with reporters, sketch artists and the Manhattan district attorney, Alvin L. Bragg. The president-elect was at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, seated along with one of his lawyers in front of a pair of large American flags.
“This has been a very terrible experience,” Mr. Trump said during the hearing, adding: “The fact is, I’m totally innocent.” [Pols emphasis]
Donald Trump and his lawyers had been trying really hard to prevent The Big Orange Guy from the ignominious distinction of becoming the first convicted felon to take the oath of office as President of the United States.
Trump can whine about being innocent as much as he likes — it won’t change the legal or historical distinction. And because Trump was convicted in a state court in New York, there’s not a damn thing he can do about it in terms of trying to pardon himself.
Today was a small victory for justice, but a victory nonetheless.
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Few impacts …
If I ever announce my candidacy for President, it's likely cuz I committed a crime and I'm about to be prosecuted for it.
I was under the impression that a defendant who whines about the trial and insists on his innocence during his sentencing is likely to draw the judge’s ire and an enhanced sentence.
I guess not.
Trump has been whining from before the trial began. He already was slapped with fines for contempt, and really can't get more. The judge's speech on the sentence made it clear that he was unwilling to push consequences on the now-elected Trump.
One downside I've not seen described, but from what I read on the trial process — with conviction and sentencing, Trump's gag order is no longer in force.
Yeah, I’m kind of waiting for Trump, after consulting with his AG, to order one of his Secret Service detail to shoot a random person on 5th Avenue, just to prove he can get away with it.
My revulsion with the Orange Destruction and his minions can’t really be overstated. I consider those “moderate conservatives” who looked the other way, to be among those minions. Where are you, LBIAPOS? What have you to say? Are you ready to live in a White, Christian, police state? That army of Moderate Republicans we were told would rally together and reject the crime syndicate preparing to take over the federal government, failed. Trumps’ America?
Thanks, Republicans. The “Fourth Reich” is beginning. Behold your handiwork.