President-elect Donald Trump avoided jail time after receiving an unconditional discharge in the hush money case, making him the first convicted felon to serve as President in U.S. history.
On Friday, Judge Juan Merchan delivered the sentence, calling the case “extraordinary” with “unique and remarkable circumstances.”.. Continue reading here ▶
“The office of the President comes with extraordinary legal protections that take precedence,” Judge Merchan said. “However, these protections do not lessen the seriousness of the crime or excuse its commission.”
He added, “The American people recently decided you should once again hold this office, and with it, the protections that come with it.”
Trump dismissed the case as a “political witch hunt” and called it “a very terrible experience.”
“This has been a political witch hunt designed to damage my reputation and make me lose the election, but it didn’t work,” Trump said. “The people saw this case unfold in your courtroom, and they made their decision. I won.”
