During President-elect Donald J. Trump’s criminal trial last year, the court released written transcripts of the proceedings, but did not allow them to be recorded or broadcast.
But on Friday, Mr. Trump’s sentencing in a Lower Manhattan courthouse was recorded. The court released the audio soon after the hearing, during which Mr. Trump was given an unconditional discharge of his sentence. The outcome cemented his status as a felon while ensuring he would serve no jail time.
Mr. Trump appeared virtually at the hearing, which lasted just over 30 minutes, from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. He sat beside his lead defense lawyer, Todd Blanche, with two large American flags visible behind them. In brief remarks, Mr. Trump denounced his conviction and described the trial as a “very terrible experience.”
The hearing began with Joshua Steinglass, a lead prosecutor, who said the case had “overwhelming evidence” to support Mr. Trump’s conviction. He criticized Mr. Trump’s conduct, saying he “has caused enduring damage to public perception of the criminal justice system and has placed officers of the court in harm’s way.”
Mr. Blanche, in response, argued that the charges should have been dismissed. Short of that, he said the only appropriate punishment was an unconditional discharge. “It’s a sad day for President Trump and his family and friends,” Mr. Blanche said.
Mr. Trump was largely restrained, but he repeated his criticism of the case, saying that charges should have never been brought against him. He argued that his victory in the November election was evidence that the public agreed. “They got to see this firsthand,” Mr. Trump said, “and then they voted.”
The judge who oversaw the case, Juan M. Merchan, spoke at the end of the hearing, looking directly at Mr. Trump on the video screen. “This court has determined that the only lawful sentence that permits entry of a judgment of conviction without encroaching upon the highest office in the land is an unconditional discharge,” Justice Merchan said.
Video production by McKinnon de Kuyper.
Matthew Haag writes about the intersection of real estate and politics in the New York region. He has been a journalist for two decades.More about Matthew Haag
