Donald Trump was sentenced with no penalty in the New York “hush money” case on Friday after a symbolic, historic, and unprecedented hearing. This marked the first felony verdict for a former president and an incoming sitting president.
Judge Juan Merchan spoke with Trump for several minutes, emphasizing that it is the office of the presidency—and not its occupant—that holds extraordinary legal protections. Based on this, Merchan issued an unconditional release with no punishment. Trump, showing no remorse, spoke before the sentencing, doubling down on his claims of a “political witch hunt,” which he has maintained since his first indictment over 20 months ago.
Trump was convicted in May on 34 counts of falsifying business records. While he has vowed to fight the conviction in appeals, Friday’s sentence cements Trump’s position as the first convicted president set to assume office in 10 days.
What You Need to Know from the Hearing:
An Unprecedented Sentence
Judge Merchan had signaled in advance that he would not impose any punishment on Trump, including prison time. This decision followed a 5-4 ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday night allowing the hearing to proceed despite Trump’s objections.
Still, the sentencing carried immense significance and embarrassment for Trump, who attended virtually from his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida.
While Trump’s tone during the virtual hearing was more restrained, he still harshly criticized everyone involved in the case—prosecutors, the judge, Michael Cohen, and others—alleging unfair treatment.
“This has been a very terrible experience,” Trump said at one point.
He concluded his remarks by emphasizing his electoral victory, claiming he won in key swing states and the popular vote.
“Voters saw this trial, and they understood,” Trump said, implying that the case played a role in his return to the White House.
Judge’s Emphasis on Presidential Protections
Judge Merchan refrained from criticizing Trump’s conduct during sentencing, focusing instead on the legal challenges of imposing a sentence under the unique circumstances of the case.
He clarified that it was the extraordinary legal protections afforded to the office of the presidency—not Trump personally—that limited his ability to impose any penalties.
“These extraordinary legal protections granted to the office of the President of the United States prevail, not the occupant of the office,” Merchan stated.
The seven-week trial last year was held without audio or video recordings. However, Merchan agreed to release an audio recording of Friday’s hearing, allowing the public to hear the proceedings—and Merchan’s measured tone—for the first time.
“The considerable—indeed, extraordinary—legal protections granted to the executive office are a factor that overrides all others,” Merchan said. He stressed that these protections are “a legal mandate that, under the rule of law, this court must respect and follow.”
Prosecution’s Reaction
Prosecutors supported Merchan’s decision to impose an unconditional release but expressed frustration with Trump’s conduct.
Assistant District Attorney Josh Steinglass accused Trump of undermining the rule of law, both before and after his May conviction.
Steinglass noted that the probation officer who interviewed Trump for the pre-sentencing report stated that Trump “views himself as above the law.”
“Far from showing any remorse for his criminal conduct, Trump has encouraged others to reject the jury’s verdict,” Steinglass said.
“This defendant has caused lasting harm to the public’s perception of the criminal justice system,” Steinglass concluded.
