U.S. president-elect Donald Trump will not have to serve a prison sentence or pay fines but will be the first U.S. president with a criminal record when he takes office later this month after a judge granted him an unconditional discharge in his hush-money trial.
U.S. president-elect Donald Trump has escaped any legal punishment other than a criminal record for his felony crimes, after a judge on Friday handed him an alternative sentence called an unconditional discharge.
Judge Juan Merchan’s ruling spares Trump any jail time, fines or probation supervision for his conviction, though the sentence cements his status as the first convicted felon to hold the White House.
The incoming president appeared remotely during the hearing with his lawyer on TV screens in the courtroom. Taking his opportunity to address the court, Trump maintained his innocence and said the case was a “tremendous setback” for the justice system.
“I’m …