unconditional release

Despite his unconditional release, US President-elect Donald Trump's record will remain as a criminal.

Judge Juan Merchant in New York City (USA) on January 10 opened a trial to sentence President-elect Donald Trump for paying hush money to an adult film actress in 2016 and falsifying business records to cover it up.

Mr. Trump attended the trial online from Florida.

A screen at a courthouse in New York shows images of attorney Todd Blanche and President-elect Donald Trump from Florida

Mr. Trump was found guilty by a jury in May 2024, and the judge postponed the sentencing several times at Mr. Trump's request.

At the sentencing hearing, prosecutor Joshua Steinglass summarized the case and said the jury's verdict was unanimous and must be respected, according to CNN. Steinglass also noted that Trump's crimes could have carried prison time or other penalties, but with his election as president, prosecutors recommended "unconditional release."

The prosecutor acknowledged that a conditional release would likely impede Mr Trump from carrying out his duties as president, so he recommended an unconditional release. "We have to respect the office of the presidency," Mr Steinglass said.

Trump's lawyer Emil Bove attended the trial in New York on January 10.

Trump's lawyer Todd Blanche opposed the prosecution's argument, calling it a sad day for the president-elect, his family and the country. Trump also spoke, saying the trial was a very bad experience. "I think it's a setback for New York and the New York court system. This is a case that Alvin Bragg did not want to bring," Trump said, referring to the lead prosecutor.

The leader repeated accusations that the case was a political witch hunt aimed at damaging his reputation. "The fact is, I am completely innocent. I did nothing wrong," President-elect Trump stressed.

After Mr. Trump finished speaking, Judge Merchan thanked him and called the sentencing one of the most important and difficult decisions a criminal judge has to make. “Never before has this court been presented with such a unique and remarkable situation. This is a truly extraordinary case,” Mr. Merchan said.

The judge eventually announced the sentence of unconditional release. He noted that it was the legal protection of the presidency that was special, not the person holding that office, emphasizing that ordinary people did not enjoy this legal protection.

Although he will not be sentenced, the charges will remain permanently on Trump's legal record. The leader had previously requested that the sentencing be postponed until after his upcoming inauguration (January 20), but the US Supreme Court rejected the request on January 9. Trump had also sought to have the case dismissed, but Judge Merchan said the sentencing must take place to satisfy the public's desire that no one is above the law.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/tuyen-an-ong-trump-phong-thich-vo-dieu-kien-185250110221602037.htm