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

"This has been a very terrible experience," Trump says, addressing the court on the large monitor.

"I think it's been a tremendous setback for New York and the New York court system," he said.

Trump is now going after a former assistant district attorney who resigned from the office before his indictment was brought.

He blames accountants for logging the hush payment to Stormy Daniels a legal expense.

"It's incredible actually," Trump says about his actions that prompted his indictment, arguing he correctly labeled Cohen's payments as legal expenses.

Trump says this was a case Alvin Bragg did not want to bring, as the DA stared straight ahead expressionless, watching the feed.

"It's an injustice of justice," Trump says about the the case, citing a series of legal experts who criticized the case.

"It's been a political witch hunt, it was damage my reputation so I would lose the election," Trump says, boasting how he got more votes than any Republican and won all seven swing states.

Judge Merchan is calmly watching Trump speak with his hand on his chin.

"I very, very much disagree with what the government just said," Trump attorney Todd Blanche says.

Blanche says Trump has been "fighting" this case to this day, and that they disagree that this was "an appropriate case to be brought."

"It was not," Blanche says.

"We intend on appealing," Blanche confirms.

"Legally this case should not have been brought," Blanche says, with Trump nodding his head in agreement. "The majority of the American people agree that this case should not have been brought."

"Its a sad day for President Trump and his family and his friends. But its also, in Counsel's view, a sad day for this country," he says. "This was brought by a district attorney who promised he would go after President Trump if elected and that's sad."

"Instead of preserving, protecting and defending our established system of criminal justice, the once and future president engaged in a campaign to undermine its legitimacy," prosecutor Josh Steinglass says.

When Steinglass brings up what he said was Trump's "conduct before during and after the trial," Trump crosses his arms and leans back. He shakes his head "no" when Steinglass mentions his efforts to "undermine its legitimacy."

"Far from expressing any kind of remorse," Trump has "bred disdain for our judicial institutions and the rule of law. He did so "to serve his own ends," Steinglass says. Steinglass says Trump's conduct surrounding the trial, particularly attacks on the judge and others involved in the case, "constitutes a direct attack on the rule of law"

Steinglass also calls out Trump for having "bred disdain for our judicial systems and the rule of law" and for being "unrelenting in his unsubstantiated attacks" on the court and prosecutions, including public threats to retaliate against them.

"This defendant has caused enduring damage to the criminal justice system, and has put officers of the court in harms way," he says. "This defendant has caused enduring damage to public perception of the criminal justice system and put its officers of the court in harm's way."

The judge is now giving both parties the opportunity to speak.

The people recommend a sentence of an unconditional discharge, prosecutor Josh Steinglass says.

Trump appears to be taking notes.

"The verdict in this case was unanimous and decisive and it must be respected," Steinglass says.