Trump trial: Biden calls Trump's remarks 'dangerous'

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.


Trump guilty on all 34 counts


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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.


Trump's tweets were a message not to cooperate, state says

After Michael Cohen implicated Trump in the hush money scheme in August 2018, Trump was "furious," prosecutor Josh Steinglass told the jury.

"His fixer had done the unthinkable, and Trump immediately went on the attack -- an attack that continues to this day," he said.

Steinglass showed a tweet Trump posted the following day: "If anyone is looking for a good lawyer, I would strongly suggest that you don't retain the services of Michael Cohen!"

"This is the day after he pled guilty," Steinglass said.

Steinglass argued that Trump's tweets after Cohen pleaded guilty in 2018 were warning messages to other potential witnesses who could cooperate against him.

"These tweets were not only designed to punish Cohen," Steinglass said. "Cooperate or you will face the wrath of Donald Trump," was the message they conveyed.

Steinglass described a "vexatious and punitive lawsuit" Trump filed against Michael Cohen and a defamation suit against Stormy Daniels as evidence of his punitive means against people who epoks out against him.

After a series of sustained objections regarding Trump's tweets and their alleged impact on Cohen's safety, Judge Merchan smiled and told the jury, "This might be a good time to take our last recess of the day."