An unconditional discharge, while free from sanctions or restrictions, still upholds the jury’s guilty verdict, marking Donald Trump’s infamous distinction as the first former president to face a felony conviction.
At78 years old, Trump had been facing up to four years in prison.
Pace University law professor and former prosecutor, Bennett Gershman, criticized Trump’s actions ahead of sentencing, stating, “He’s sticking his middle finger at the judge, the jury, the system of justice, and laughing.”
Outside the courthouse, Trump supporters waved a massive banner featuring his name, despite the strong winds, while a small group of anti-Trump demonstrators gathered behind a sign reading “Trump is guilty.”
Trump’s defense team argued that sentencing should be delayed until the Republican appeals his conviction, but New York State Associate Justice Ellen Gesmer dismissed this request on Tuesday.
Trump has continuously referred to the prosecution as a “witch hunt,” a statement that, according to prosecutor Steinglass, aimed to “have a chilling effect.”
“This defendant has caused enduring damage to the public’s perception of the criminal justice system,” Steinglass said.
Trump’s lawyer, Todd Blanche, disagreed vehemently with much of the prosecution’s argument.
Meanwhile, Trump was officially declared the winner of the 2024 presidential election on Monday, four years after his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol in a failed attempt to overturn the 2020 election results.
