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
Mood appears light for Trump team
Judge Merchan told the parties he would take a few minutes back in chambers before returning at 4:30 ET to bring in the jury and excuse them for the day.
Trump, at the defense table, was actively conferring with attorney Todd Blanche as they waited, with Blanche laughing and covering his mouth as Trump whispered in his ear. Trump flashed a grin.
Defense attorneys Emil Bove and Susan Necheles were also smiling as they chatted.
Jury to be excused at 4:30 ET
Members of the prosecution team returned to the courtroom and gathered at the counsel table.
Donald Trump then returned to the courtroom.
Judge Merchan, after entering the courtroom, said, "At this time, I am going to excuse the jury around 4:30."
Reporters, court staff quietly wait in courtroom
As the jury continues its deliberations, the courtroom is quiet except for the clacking of reporters' keyboards.
Trump and his attorneys are in a separate waiting area, as are attorneys with the DA's office. That leaves about 60 reporters waiting in the quiet courtroom, where four court officers are enforcing a "no talking" rule.
One court officer sits at a desk by the bell that the jury rings when they want to contact the court. Two court reporters sit in the corner of the room near the witness stand, with their three-foot stack of paper transcripts looming behind them.
On the right side of the gallery, four sketch artists continue to work. It’s unclear what they are drawing.
Jury foreman is immigrant from Ireland who works in sales
During this morning's testimony readbacks, the courtroom heard the voice of the jury foreman, who told Judge Merchan the jury wanted to hear "instructions first," then later replied in the affirmative when Merchan asked if the jury's requests had been satisfied.
The person selected to be the foreman on Trump's jury -- chosen by default due to being selected as Juror No. 1 -- is a male New Yorker who has worked in sales for nearly three decades. Originally from Ireland, he previously worked as a waiter.
The foreman is also one of just two known immigrants in the group -- the other being from Lebanon.
Regarding his education, Juror No. 1 said during the jury selection process that he attended "some college." The jury as a whole includes seven members with advanced degrees, plus another juror who also said they attended "some college."
Juror No. 1 said he had never served on a jury before, and that he gets his news from The New York Times, Fox News, and MSNBC.
Asked during voir dire by prosecutors if he would have a problem with the concept of "accessorial liability" -- that is, holding Trump responsible for something his partners did -- Juror No. 1 said he wouldn't.
"None at all," he replied.
Later, he was asked by Trump's attorney Todd Blanche for his "positive or negative" opinion of the fact that there are charges against Trump.
"I don't have an opinion at all," he said.
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.