Following a guilty verdict on 34 counts in his hush money trial in New York, former President Donald Trump will be sentenced on July 11. Trump is the first president to be convicted of a felony. While Republican allies expressed outrage at the “sham trial,” Democrats capitalized on the unique fundraising opportunity.
A Jury Found Trump Guilty on 34 Counts of Falsifying Business Records
A twelve-member jury found Trump guilty on all 34 counts of falsifying financial business records to cover up a hush-money payment. Following the announcement of the verdict, New York Judge Juan Merchan set Trump’s sentencing hearing for July 11.
Maximum Sentence is 4 Years Per Charge
Each of the 34 felony charges for which Trump was found guilty carries a maximum sentence of four years in prison. Judge Merchan has significant flexibility in determining an appropriate sentence, including the possibility of probation or home detention if Merchan does not believe jail time is warranted.
Sentencing Hearing Takes Place Prior to Republican Convention
The sentencing hearing will take place four days prior to the commencement of the Republican National Convention, in which Trump will be officially named the Republican Candidate for the office of President.
Sentencing is Two Weeks After First Presidential Debate
The sentencing date of July 11 is also two weeks after the first televised national debate between President Joe Biden and Trump.
Trump Defense Team to Appeal
Trump’s defense team, led by Todd Blanche, shared plans to file motions in the next few weeks and file an appeal after July 11.
Appeal Process Will Defer Sentence Until After Election
Whatever sentence Judge Merchan orders for Trump, the sentence will not take effect until the appeal process plays out. This entire appeal process will likely not be completed until after the election in November, leaving unanswered questions for voters through the rest of 2024.
Trump Allies in Congress Aligned in Condemning Trial as Sham
Trump’s Republican allies in Congress responded to the conviction by speaking out nearly unanimously, condemning the trial as a sham and a political witch hunt.
Johnson Claims Trial “Purely Political”
House Speaker Mike Johnson claimed that the trial was “purely political” and that the day of the verdict was a “shameful day in American history.”
MAGA Senator J.D. Vance Calls Verdict “A Disgrace”
Influential MAGA Senator J.D. Vance from Ohio called the guilty verdict a “disgrace to the judicial system.”
Hogan, Courting Centrist Maryland Voters, Respects Legal Verdict
Only one national Republican, Senate candidate Larry Hogan from Maryland, spoke out legitimizing the trial, saying the American public should “respect the verdict and the legal process.” Hogan, the former Governor of Maryland, has been distancing himself from the Republican party as he tries to maintain a centrist position in the premiere Senate race.
Former Maryland Gov. Warns Not to “Pour Fuel on Fire”
Hogan said, “At this dangerously divided moment in our history, all leaders — regardless of party — must not pour fuel on the fire with more toxic partisanship…We must reaffirm what has made this nation great: the rule of law.”
Democrats Jump At Fundraising Once Verdict Announced
Democrats wasted no time in condemning Trump following his conviction by the jury. The Biden campaign sought donations from supporters within minutes of the guilty verdict being read.
Biden Campaign Claims Only Way to Keep Trump Out of Office is Voting
The Biden campaign spokesman, Michael Taylor, stated, “In New York today, we saw that no one is above the law….There is only one way to keep Donald Trump out of the Oval Office: at the ballot box.”
Claims Trump Term Would Bring Chaos and Political Violence
He continued, “A second Trump term means chaos, ripping away Americans’ freedoms and fomenting political violence – and the American people will reject it this November.”
Official White House Response Muted
At the official level, the White House Counsel’s office stated of the Biden White House, “We respect the rule of law and have no additional comment.”
