Donald Trump Convicted on All 34 Counts in So-Called 'Hush Money' Trial

The jury returned a guilty verdict in the so-called “hush money” trial against former President Donald Trump, convicting him of all 34 felony counts on the also-so-called falsified business records case. The American people have watched the lawfare Trump has endured, and each step of the way, he has moved ahead in the polls. I expect that to continue, despite this historical, first-ever, occurrence of a former president being convicted of a crime.

NBC News reports:

The verdict was read in the Manhattan courtroom where Trump has been on trial since April 15. He had pleaded not guilty to all 34 counts of falsifying business records related to a hush money payment made by his former lawyer Michael Cohen to adult film star Stormy Daniels in the final weeks of the 2016 presidential election.

Trump “looked down with his eyes narrowed as the jury foreperson read the word ‘guilty’ to each count.”

The Courier Journal writes that “outside the courthouse, anti-Trump demonstrators cheered and drivers honked their horns as news of the guilty verdicts spread. ‘Guilty!’ Several people shouted out.”

No doubt, there are those who hope that this will be the end of Trump’s campaign to return to the White House. However, as the Journal also reports, “Yes, even after being convicted on felony counts, the Thursday verdict does not impact Donald Trump's ability to seek another term in the White House.”

So what next? According to CNBC, after the verdict was delivered, the jury was dismissed. “The case then moves to the sentencing phase, a process largely controlled by Judge Juan Merchan.”

July 11 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern is when Trump will be sentenced. Merchan mandated “parties in the case to file motions by June 13.”

“Legal experts told CNBC they expect Merchan will set Trump’s sentencing date for within two or three months of the verdict.” While Trump’s attorney will probably try to delay sentencing until after the November election, according to New York City defense lawyer Michael Bachner, Merchan is not likely to deny that “without a good reason.”

At this point, the former president is no longer bound by the unconstitutional gag order Merchan imposed upon him. It will be interesting to hear what Trump has to say prior to his sentencing.

So will Trump go to jail? It’s possible. He could be required to pay fines, restitution, get probation, or be thrown in jail.

“Merchan has broad discretion to determine Trump’s sentence, and he can factor all sorts of things into his final decision,” CNBC points out, adding, “Some of those factors, such as Trump’s age of 77 and his lack of a prior criminal record, will likely weigh in Trump’s favor.”

It is already known that Merchan, nor his daughter, Loren Merchan, reportedly a Democrat operative, thinks fondly of Trump, so there’s that.

For his part, “Merchan has made clear throughout the trial that he is mindful of Trump’s unique political status, and he has previously expressed reluctance to put the ex-president behind bars.”

I don’t know how this will end, but I do know that the American people have seen the scheme to interfere in an election, and they don’t like it. I expect Trump’s support will continue to grow.

I saw this graphic on the Illinois Review’s Facebook page after the verdict was delivered. I expect it’s already making its rounds on the Internet.

Your thoughts?