‘Big shame’: Hear Trump’s courtroom response to Judge Merchan’s ‘political witch hunt’ trial
Audio tape of President-elect Donald Trump A sentencing hearing in New York was made public on Friday, providing a glimpse into the unprecedented conviction against the former president where Trump was eventually sentenced to unconditional release from prison.
“This was a very horrible experience,” said Trump, who attended the criminal trial hearing virtually New York City courtroom Friday morning. “I think it was a huge setback for New York and the New York court system.”
“This is a case that Alvin Bragg didn’t want to pursue. He thought, from what I’ve read and heard, it was improperly handled before he got there. And a gentleman from a law firm came in and acted as district attorney,” he continued. the newly elected president. “And that gentleman, as far as I’ve heard, was a criminal or almost a criminal in what he did. It was very inappropriate. It was someone involved with my political opponent.”
“I think it’s a shame for New York and New York has a lot of problems, but this is a huge shame,” he added.
Judge Juan Merchan, left, and President-elect Donald Trump.
At one point, Trump leaned forward, looking at Judge Juan Merchan, and mentioned the November election, suggesting it constituted a dismissal of the case.
“It was a political witch hunt,” Trump explained. “It was done to damage my reputation in order to lose the election. And obviously, that didn’t work. And the citizens of our country saw it firsthand because they watched the case in your courtroom. They have to see it first hand. And then they voted, and I won.”
Assistant District Attorney Josh Steinglass said there is “compelling evidence to support the jury’s verdict” and was critical of Trump, arguing that the president-elect “has caused lasting damage to the public’s perception of the criminal justice system and put court officials at risk” along with the comments he made publicly during the trial.
“I strongly, strongly disagree with most of what the government has just said about this case, about the legitimacy of what happened in this courtroom during the trial, and about President Trump’s conduct in fighting this case since before the indictment, while she was indicted , until the jury’s verdict, and even to this day,” Trump’s attorney Todd Blanche said in response to the prosecution.
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Former President Donald Trump appears in court for arraignment before Judge Juan Merchan after surrendering to New York authorities in New York County Criminal Court earlier this year. (Photo by Seth Wenig-Pool via USA TODAY)
During the hearing, Judge Juan Merchan defended the actions he took along the way.
“Sentencing is one of the most difficult decisions any criminal court judge is called upon to make,” Merchan said, noting that a court “must consider the facts of the case along with any aggravating or mitigating circumstances.”
Merchan reflected on the case, saying that “never before has this court been faced with such a unique set of circumstances.” The judge said it was an “extraordinary case” with media interest and heightened security, but said that after the courtroom doors closed, the trial itself was “no more unique or extraordinary” than any other case.
Merchan acknowledged that Trump has significant legal protections, but argued that “one power they don’t give is the power to overturn a jury verdict.”
“Sir, I wish you a safe journey as you take on a second term,” Merchan said at the end of the hearing.
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Judge Juan Merchan instructs the jury before deliberating during the criminal trial of Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump on charges he falsified business records to cover up money paid to silence porn star Stormy Daniels in 2016, in Manhattan State Court in New York, in May 29, 2024 in this courtroom. (REUTERS/Jane Rosenberg)
Merchan’s unconditional acquittal means no sentence imposed: no jail time, fine or probation. The sentence also preserves Trump’s ability to appeal the conviction.
“After careful analysis, this court has determined that the only lawful sentence that permits a conviction is an unconditional discharge,” Merchan said Friday. “At this time I am imposing that sentence covering all 34 counts.”
Trump’s team said in court that they would appeal the conviction, and he will be sworn in as the 47th president of the United States on January 20.
Fox News Digital’s Brooke Singman contributed to this report
