Donald Trump, convicted last year on 34 charges of business fraud related to a hush money payment to Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign, has been sentenced to unconditional discharge. The sentencing hearing, held by Judge Juan Merchan, comes as Trump prepares for his second term in office and lobbies for Senate support for his Cabinet nominees.

Judge Merchan emphasized that while the office of the presidency grants considerable legal protections, those protections do not diminish the seriousness of the crime. “One power they do not provide is the power to erase a jury verdict,” Merchan stated, acknowledging the citizenry’s role in returning Trump to office despite the conviction.

According to CNN, Trump, appearing virtually from Mar-a-Lago, maintained his innocence. “The fact is I’m totally innocent. I did nothing wrong,” he said, calling the case a “political witch hunt” designed to damage his reputation. Trump also criticized Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, claiming the case was unwarranted and harmed New York’s judicial system.

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