President-elect Donald Trump has made history as the first U.S president or former president to be formally convicted of a felony.
Gatekeepers News reports that despite being found guilty of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in May, Trump received an “unconditional discharge” from Judge Juan Merchan, meaning he won’t face any penalties.
This sentence is significantly lighter than the maximum penalties Trump could have faced, which included up to four years in prison and/or a $5,000 fine for each count. The harshest possible sentence could have resulted in Trump being imprisoned for the rest of his life, although this was always unlikely.
During the virtual sentencing, Trump maintained his innocence, calling the prosecution “a very terrible experience” and “a setback” for New York’s judicial system.
Judge Merchan explained that the office of the presidency shields Trump from harsher punishment, but noted that being president doesn’t erase the jury verdict.
As a result of his sentencing, Trump can now be formally classified as a “convicted felon” according to the Justice Department.
This development comes as Trump prepares for his upcoming inauguration.
