Donald Trump has become the first former U.S. president convicted of felony crimes. A New York jury found him guilty of falsifying business records related to hush money payments made to porn actor Stormy Daniels to influence the 2016 election. After 9.5 hours of deliberation over two days, Trump was convicted on all 34 counts.
The conviction exposes Trump to potential prison time and complicates his bid for a return to the White House. Trump plans to appeal the verdict and faces three other felony indictments, though the New York case is the first to conclude before the upcoming election. Despite the legal challenges, Trump's conviction may not deter his supporters, while providing ammunition for his political opponents.
Trump's trial involved charges that he covered up the payments made by his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, who testified against him. The payments were recorded as legal expenses, which prosecutors argued was an unlawful attempt to disguise their true purpose. Trump denies the allegations and did not testify during the trial. The outcome is significant for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, as it could be the only case to reach a jury before the election. The other cases against Trump are experiencing delays or appeals.
This verdict, stemming from his efforts to conceal hush money payments during the 2016 election, highlights the principle that no one, not even a former president, is above the law.
Link: AP News
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