Trump sentencing: Judge gives Trump 'unconditional discharge' to respect presidency

President-elect Trump was found guilty in May of falsifying business records.

ByAaron Katersky, Peter Charalambous, Katherine Faulders, and Olivia Rubin
Last Updated: January 10, 2025, 10:14 AM EST

President-elect Donald Trump was sentenced Friday in his historic hush money case to an unconditional discharge -- allowing Trump to avoid prison, fines or probation, but cementing his status as a convicted felon just 10 days before he takes the oath of office for his second term.

During a brief virtual hearing, New York prosecutors blasted him for engaging in a "direct attack on the rule of law" and making efforts to "undermine its legitimacy" by attacking the judge and others involved in the case. Trump's defense team, which vowed to appeal, said the case should never have been brought and called it a "sad day for this country."

Judge Juan Merchan, who was a frequent target of Trump during the trial, said the unconditional discharge was the "only lawful sentence" to protect "the office of the president ... not the occupant of the office."

Key Headlines

Here's how the news is developing.
9:41 AM EST

Judge confirms Trump agreed to appear virtually

Judge Merchan begins by confirming that Trump is waiving his right to appear in person and that both parties have reviewed the court's probation report. Trump also attended his probation interview virtually last year.

Merchan asks both sides if they received copies of the probation report. They both say they did.

Trump's attorney Todd Blanche raises one small issue that the procedural history and information about other cases is in the report is "not up to date."

9:37 AM EST

Sentencing hearing is underway

Judge Juan Merchan has taken to the bench and the sentencing hearing is underway.

In addition to the large monitor next to the defense table, the feed of Trump and Blanche is also on the small monitors scattered throughout the courtroom, including on the counsel table, in the jury box, and on the bench.

9:33 AM EST

Trump and attorney are logged on remotely

Donald Trump and his attorney Todd Blanche just logged on virtually.

Trump and Blanche are seated in front of two American flags and occupy the entire flat screen monitor positioned next to the defense table.

In total, approximately 15 members of the DA's office are seated in court. Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg is in the second row of the gallery, seated in the middle of the tightly-pack row.

9:29 AM EST

DA Bragg, Trump's attorney arrive in courtroom

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and attorneys on his staff have entered the courtroom.

Prosecutors Joshua Steinglass, Christopher Conroy, and Susan Hoffinger are seated at counsel table. Seven other members of the DA's office are also seated in the courtroom.

Trump's attorney Emil Bove just arrived as well.

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