Former President Trump receives no jail time or fines in historic hush money case, clearing path for White House return despite felony conviction.
President-elect Donald Trump received his sentence Friday for the felony hush money conviction, though the judge opted against imposing any penalties, a decision that upholds his guilty verdict while allowing his return to the White House without the burden of incarceration or financial penalties.
The penalty-free ruling concludes a landmark case that made history by placing a former president and major presidential contender in criminal court as a defendant. Among Trump's four criminal indictments, this remains the sole case to reach trial and may be the only one to do so.
Manhattan Judge Juan M. Merchan had the authority to sentence the 78-year-old Republican to as much as four years behind bars. His chosen sentence instead navigated around complex constitutional questions by effectively concluding the case while ensuring Trump would become the first convicted felon to take the presidential office.
In contrast to last year's trial, where Trump arrived with supporters and spoke to media outside the courthouse, the former president participated remotely Friday via video from his Palm Beach, Fla., residence.
Appearing on screen in a dark suit, seated alongside his attorney with an American flag displayed behind them, Trump maintained his innocence.
"They've weaponized government in this case, and it's brought embarrassment to New York," Trump declared.
Trump's unconditional discharge concludes a precedent-breaking case where the former and incoming president faced 34 felony counts, endured nearly two months of trial, and was found guilty on all charges. Yet the legal proceedings - including courtroom revelations about efforts to suppress affair allegations - failed to diminish his voter support, resulting in his election to a second term.
Merchan explained that while he must consider aggravating circumstances as with any defendant before sentencing, the legal protections Trump will receive as president "supersede all other considerations."
"These extensive legal protections, however significant, cannot invalidate a jury's verdict," Merchan stated.
Ahead of Friday's hearing, Merchan had signaled his intention for a no-penalty sentence, known as an unconditional discharge, meaning Trump would face no jail time, probation requirements, or monetary penalties.
Prosecutors expressed support for the no-penalty ruling Friday but criticized Trump's persistent attacks on the judicial process throughout and after proceedings.
"The former and future President has orchestrated a systematic effort to undermine the case's legitimacy," prosecutor Joshua Steinglass argued.
Rather than expressing contrition, Trump has "fostered contempt" for both the jury's decision and criminal justice system, Steinglass continued, adding that his calls for retribution against case participants, including demands for the judge's disbarment, "have inflicted lasting harm to public faith in the justice system and endangered court officials."
During his Florida video appearance, the former president was accompanied by attorney Todd Blanche, whom he has selected as the next deputy attorney general in his incoming administration.
"The voters had the opportunity to evaluate this case's merit themselves. They've made their decision," Blanche said. "That's why President Trump will take office as president of the United States in 10 days."
Prior to the hearing, small groups of Trump supporters and opponents gathered outside. One group displayed a banner reading, "Trump is guilty," while another held signs stating, "Stop partisan conspiracy" and "Stop political witch hunt."
The case centered on allegations that Trump falsified business records to conceal a $130,000 payment to adult film performer Stormy Daniels. The payment, made late in Trump's 2016 campaign, aimed to prevent public disclosure of what she describes as a sexual encounter between them a decade earlier. Trump denies any sexual contact occurred and argues his political rivals fabricated the prosecution to harm him.
Democratic Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office, which brought the charges, argued in a court filing Monday that Trump committed "serious violations that substantially damaged both electoral integrity and New York's financial systems."
While the specific charges involved financial documentation, the underlying accusations intertwined closely with Trump's political ascent. Prosecutors contended the Daniels payment - arranged through Trump's then-personal attorney Michael Cohen - formed part of a broader strategy to shield voters from Trump's alleged extramarital activities.
Trump's legal team attempted repeatedly to prevent the trial. Following his May conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records, they have pursued virtually every available legal avenue to overturn the verdict, dismiss the case, or at minimum delay sentencing.
His attorneys have emphasized claims of presidential immunity from prosecution, gaining momentum from a July Supreme Court ruling that grants former presidents substantial immunity protections.
Merchan, a Democrat, repeatedly delayed sentencing from its initial July date. But last week, citing the need for "resolution," he scheduled Friday's hearing. He wrote that he aimed to balance Trump's governance needs, the Supreme Court's immunity decision, respect for the jury verdict, and public expectations that "no individual stands above the law."
Trump's lawyers launched multiple last-minute efforts to block sentencing. Their final attempt ended Thursday night with a 5-4 Supreme Court decision declining to delay the proceedings.
In parallel developments, the other criminal cases that previously threatened Trump have concluded or remain stalled before trial.
Following Trump's election, special counsel Jack Smith terminated the federal prosecutions regarding Trump's classified documents handling and attempts to reverse his 2020 election loss to Democrat Joe Biden. A Georgia state election interference case remains in limbo after prosecutor Fani Willis's removal from the proceedings.