US President-elect Donald Trump was sentenced to an ‘unconditional discharge‘ on Friday in connection with his hush-money conviction, just days before his inauguration.
Judge Juan Merchan, presiding over the case, pointed out the unique nature of the proceedings and the ‘extraordinary legal protections’ tied to the office of the presidency.
Here’s what Judge Merchan said while ‘sentencing’ Trump: –
“Never before has this court been presented with such a unique and remarkable set of circumstances,” Judge Merchan quoted by CNN. “This has been a truly extraordinary case.”
While delivering the sentence, Judge Merchan clarified that the protections afforded to the presidency do not diminish the seriousness of Trump’s actions.
“The considerable, indeed extraordinary legal protections afforded the office of the chief executive is a factor that overrides all others,” he said. “However, they do not reduce the seriousness of the crime or justify its commission in any way.”
Merchan was unequivocal in mentioning that it is the office, not the individual, that is extraordinary. “It is the legal protections afforded to the office of the president of the United States that are extraordinary, not the occupant of the office,” he said.
Merchan also reflected on equality, saying, “Once the courtroom doors closed, the trial was no different from any other in the courthouse,” he said.
Trump, appearing virtually from his Florida club, is now the first individual convicted of a felony to assume the presidency.
The case stemmed from accusations that he falsified business records to conceal a $130,000 payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, who alleges an affair with Trump in 2006—a claim he denies, dismissing the prosecution as politically motivated.
