The conviction of Trump signifies no major consequences.
The guilty verdict against former President Trump in all 34 charges related to hush money payments to porn actress Stormy Daniels is almost complete. While the sentence for falsifying business documents is yet to be decided, the case is not over as Trump faces accusations of illegally influencing the 2016 election with these payments. Pending sentences and the possible appeal process might prolong the trial. Here are answers to important questions about this historic trial.
Will Trump go to jail?* The Class E felony charge of falsifying business records could result in a sentence of up to four years in prison. However, fines or probation are also possibilities. The district attorney Alvin Bragg hasn't mentioned whether the indictment will request a prison sentence.* The judge, Juan Merchan, may consider the political and logistical challenges of incarcerating a former president running for the highest office again. Trump might serve his sentence after exhausting his appeal options.* Experts deem it unlikely that Trump will actually end up in prison, with the announcement of the sentence happening on July 11 - four days before the start of the Republican nomination convention where Trump is set to be nominated as the presidential candidate.
What does the guilty verdict mean for the election?* Trump's chances of being elected president still remain, despite the guilty verdict and other legal proceedings. Only 4% of Trump supporters deemed it necessary to withdraw their support.* The verdict appears to bring the Republican Party closer together.* Trump's campaign expects a flood of donations.* The extent to which the verdict impacts the election remains unclear due to polarization in the US.
What are Trump's options for an appeal?* Trump can appeal the verdict to an appellate court or the highest court in New York.* His lawyers have already raised objections to the charges and rulings in the trial, such as accusing Judge Merchan of bias or challenging the admissibility of Daniels' testimony.* He could challenge the indictment's legality, the evidence, or the conduct of the trial.* Trump might argue he's immune from prosecution as a former president.* Experts believe Trump's chances of success in an appeal are limited, given the long-standing New York law and the strong evidence against him.
This text discusses legal proceedings against former US President Donald Trump in New York, centering on the case of alleged hush money payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. It covers possible grounds for appeal like claims of bias against the judge, objections to the testimony of a potential defense witness, and arguments about the admissibility of Daniels' testimony. The article also mentions Trump's behavior during the trial, such as his criticisms of the judge and prosecutor, and his reluctance to testify. It raises questions about whether the case affects the Republican Party's image.
Translation:
Trump's lawyers can file an appeal before the appellate court or the highest court in New York State. They've filed objections to the charges and rulings in the trial. For instance, they claimed Judge Merchan is biased because his daughter's company has clients including Biden, Vice President Harris, and other Democrats, but Merchan dismissed the claim. Curiously, Merchan donated smaller amounts to the Democrats in the past.
Trump's attorneys could challenge the judge's decision to limit the testimony of a potential defense witness, Republican legal professor Bradley Smith, who was to dismiss the hush money payments as not violating campaign finance regulations.
The defense could also contest the jury's right to hear the graphic testimony of Daniels alleging her 2006 sexual encounter with Trump, arguing that the power imbalance between Trump and a younger, smaller Daniels was irrelevant to the charges.
What were the weaknesses of the defense?* Testifying former federal prosecutor Robert Costello, who was supposed to discredit Trump's ex-attorney Michael Cohen, one of the primary prosecution witnesses, might not have been a wise move.* Costello was the sole witness for the defense and was confrontational with the judge, disregarding objections and even rolli9ing his eyes. This behavior provoked the judge to threaten to remove Costello from the court.
Did Trump hurt himself?* Possibly. With only two witnesses for the defense and a witness like Costello, the prosecution's case had a strong footing. The judge's negative opinion of Costello's behavior may have hurt Trump's case.* Trump's reluctance to testify may have also harmed him, as it gave the impression of guilt.* The judge seemed unsympathetic to Trump's allegations, dismissing potential bias accusations.* The public has overwhelmingly supported the jury's decision with no mention of the potential political ramifications.
The defendant displayed a sense of confidence and preparedness for a potential conviction. He accused the entire justice system of being corrupt, just as he did during the 2020 election, where he lost to Biden. Trump targeted Judge Merchan, District Attorney Bragg, and other members of the prosecution, labeling the case a politically motivated witch hunt. "Even Mother Teresa couldn't escape this type of prosecution," he exclaimed.
Moreover, Trump criticized the gag order that silenced him from publicly discussing the case's details. He didn't testify in court due to fear of perjury and the possibility of being cross-examined. Instead, he focused on the court of public opinion and the voters who would influence his fate ultimately. In contrast, the legal process presented risks of perjury and the chance of cross-examination.
Trump has faced more serious allegations than falsifying business papers to cover up a hush money payment to a porn star - none of which garnered significant political consequences for him. The most alarming incident was when he tried to overturn his loss in the 2020 presidential election and incited his followers to attack the center of American democracy. At the moment, three more criminal cases are being pursued against him for alleged electoral manipulation and other severe charges. Recently, he was ordered to pay millions in a civil lawsuit because he sexually abused a woman in the 90s and later defamed her.
Nevertheless, all these allegations did not affect his political career. Instead, Trump transformed each legal accusation into a personally advantageous situation, portrayed himself as a "martyr," mobilized his followers, and raised funds. His narrative that the political establishment is attempting to silence him through legal means resonated with many Americans. A verdict further amplified this narrative and fostered a "now or never" mindset among his supporters.
How has his party responded?
Trump has been more influential than ever within his political party - despite all the scandals. Following the storming of the Capitol on January 6, 2021, there was a brief moment when it seemed Trump's career might be over. Even his loyal followers distanced themselves from him initially. But Trump's loyalists returned due to the fear of losing the party's base, which supports him uncritically. His prominence in the Republican presidential primaries underscores his leading role in the Republican Party. The entire party establishment supports Trump's presidential campaign and criticizes the legal proceedings as fundamentally politically biased. It is unlikely that any other party member would abandon him in light of the verdict. Conversely, many party colleagues turned up for Trump's show of solidarity, particularly those who aim to be part of his probable administration.
How will the other proceedings be impacted?
The verdict has little bearing on the other proceedings. Trump is currently being charged in two cases in Washington, D.C., and Georgia for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election's results. There's also the case in Miami focusing on his unlawful storage of highly sensitive government documents. These proceedings' allegations are far more serious than in the New York case. One charge among many: Conspiracy against the United States. Trump has used delay tactics and legal maneuvers to impede all three cases.
The highly significant election fraud trial against him in Washington is on the verge of collapse. The Supreme Court of the United States must first decide if Trump could be exempt from prosecution in this specific case. This decision could potentially impact the cases in Georgia and Florida as well. Currently, it appears that none of these trials will start before the election day.
Read also:
- Despite the guilty verdict in the US presidential election 2016-related hush money payment case against Donald Trump, many experts believe he still has a chance to run for the US presidential election 2024, citing the minimal impact on his supporters' judgment.
- In the midst of his legal battles in New York, Donald Trump expressed concern about the potential consequences of serving jail time if he loses his appeal, considering the political challenges of incarcerating a former president vying for the highest office again.
- In the aftermath of the Stormy Daniels hush money payment case verdict, Trump's Republican supporters remained loyal, with a slight 4% stating they would withdraw their support, and his campaign reported a surge in donations, indicating a strengthened political position ahead of the 2024 election.