Trump sentencing: Judge gives Trump 'unconditional discharge' to respect presidency
President-elect Trump was found guilty in May of falsifying business records.
President-elect Donald Trump was sentenced Friday in his historic hush money case to an unconditional discharge -- allowing Trump to avoid prison, fines or probation, but cementing his status as a convicted felon just 10 days before he takes the oath of office for his second term.
During a brief virtual hearing, New York prosecutors blasted him for engaging in a "direct attack on the rule of law" and making efforts to "undermine its legitimacy" by attacking the judge and others involved in the case. Trump's defense team, which vowed to appeal, said the case should never have been brought and called it a "sad day for this country."
Judge Juan Merchan, who was a frequent target of Trump during the trial, said the unconditional discharge was the "only lawful sentence" to protect "the office of the president ... not the occupant of the office."
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Trump engaged in 'attack on the rule of law': Prosecutors
"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."
Prosecution recommends 'unconditional discharge'
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.
Judge confirms Trump agreed to appear virtually
Judge Merchan begins by confirming that Trump is waiving his right to appear in person and that both parties have reviewed the court's probation report. Trump also attended his probation interview virtually last year.
Merchan asks both sides if they received copies of the probation report. They both say they did.
Trump's attorney Todd Blanche raises one small issue that the procedural history and information about other cases is in the report is "not up to date."
Sentencing hearing is underway
Judge Juan Merchan has taken to the bench and the sentencing hearing is underway.
In addition to the large monitor next to the defense table, the feed of Trump and Blanche is also on the small monitors scattered throughout the courtroom, including on the counsel table, in the jury box, and on the bench.