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
'President Trump is innocent,' defense lawyer says
"I'm going to start with something I can say i think with confidence … which is just to thank you. To thank you for your jury service," defense attorney Todd Blanche told jurors to begin his closing argument.
"Each of you will decide ... whether President Trump is guilty or not guilty," he said.
All eyes in this courtroom are on Blanche. Every member of Trump's family is looking at him. The jurors are staring at him, many with pens in their hands ready to take notes.
"President Trump is innocent," Blanche said. "He did not commit any crimes, and the district attorney has not met their burden of proof. Period."
Defense closings to take around 2.5 hours
Defense counsel Todd Blanche says he has a 2.5-hour closing, "maybe a little longer."
Prosecutors say they estimate they have a 4 or 4.5-hour closing.
“Defense counsel must come up first, and the prosecutor must follow,” Judge Merchan said.
Merchan says he will ask the jury if they will work later than 4:30 p.m. to do all the closings in one day.
Proceedings underway
Judge Juan Merchan has taken his seat at the bench.
"Good morning, counsel. Good morning, Mr. Trump," Merchan said in his normal greeting to start the proceedings.
Trump enters courtroom with several family members
Donald Trump has entered the courtroom alongside his lawyers.
Don Trump, Jr., Eric Trump, Lara Trump, and Tiffany Trump followed behind the former president and took seats in the gallery immediately behind the defense counsel table.
Today is the first time Tiffany Trump attended the trial, and it's the largest showing of Trump family members on a single day of the trial.
Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg, also in court today, is seated behind his prosecution team.
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.