Trump hush money trial: Trump found guilty on all counts in historic case
Trump was found guilty on all 34 felony counts in his hush money trial.
Former President Donald Trump has been found guilty on all 34 felony counts related to a 2016 hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. It marks the first time in history that a former U.S. president has been convicted on criminal charges.
Trump last April pleaded not guilty to a 34-count indictment charging him with falsifying business records in connection with a hush money payment his then-attorney Michael Cohen made to Daniels in order to boost his electoral prospects in the 2016 presidential election.
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Trump guilty on all 34 counts
Trump says he's 'very innocent' after guilty verdicts
After he was found guilty on all counts in his historic criminal hush money case, former President Donald Trump angrily walked out of the courtroom and said, "The real verdict is going to be Nov. 5, by the people. And they know what happened here and everybody knows what happened here."
"This was a rigged, disgraceful trial," the former president told reporters. "I'm a very innocent man."
Trump blamed the Biden administration and Judge Juan Merchan.
"This was done by the Biden administration in order to wound or hurt an opponent, a political opponent, and I think it's a just a disgrace," he said, without evidence. "And we'll keep fighting, we'll fight 'til the end and we'll win."
"This was a rigged decision right from day one, with a conflicted judge who should have never been allowed to try this case -- never. And we will fight for our Constitution," he said.
Trump departs, sentencing set for July 11
Sentencing has been set for July 11.
The Republican National Convention begins July 15 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Former President Donald Trump was released without bail.
Trump marched out of the courtroom, flinging his arms as he walked.
Judge thanks jurors for 'stressful' task
Judge Merchan thanked the jurors for their service after the verdict.
"I can see how involved, engaged and invested you were in this process," he said.
"You were engaged in a very stressful and difficult task. … I want you to know I really admire your dedication, your hard work," Merchan said.
Trump sat motionless as the judge spoke to the jurors.
Merchan's last words to the jurors were, "You are excused with the gratitude of the court. Thank you."
Trump shakes head at verdict
Former President Donald Trump started slowly shaking his head at count 4, then stopped and sat motionless as the rest of the guilty verdicts were read.
As the last five counts were read, Trump was entirely stone-faced, with his lips pursed, looking down at the floor.
Trump at some points looked over at the jurors.
A group of demonstrators outside the courthouse cheered and shouted "lock him up" and "USA" after the verdict was read.
Biden calls Trump's remarks 'dangerous'
In an address from the White House, President Joe Biden said Donald Trump's criticism of the judicial system in the wake of his criminal conviction yesterday is "reckless" and "dangerous."
"The jury reached an unanimous verdict that found him guilty on all 34 felony counties. Now he'll be given the opportunity, as he should, to appeal that decision, just like everyone else has that opportunity," Biden said. "That's how the American system of justice works, and it's reckless, it's dangerous, it's irresponsible for anyone to say it was rigged just because they don't like the verdict."
"It was a state case, not a federal case, and it was heard by a jury of 12 citizens," said Biden, who made the remarks at the beginning of an address on the status of the Israel-Hamas conflict.
"Our justice system has endured for nearly 250 years, and it really is the cornerstone of America," he said. "Our justice system and justices should be respected. We should never allow anyone to tear it down. That's America. That's who we are, that's who will always be, God willing."
"The American principle that no one is above the law was reaffirmed," Biden said of yesterday's verdict.