Donald Trump was convicted Thursday on all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, becoming the first former president convicted of a crime.
Trump was indicted in connection with a hush-money payment made to adult-film actress Stormy Daniels before of the 2016 presidential election.
Trump, who is all but certain to quickly appeal the verdict, was defiant immediately afterward, calling the verdict “a disgrace.” Trump said the true verdict would be rendered by the American people in the November presidential election.
“I’m a very innocent man,” Trump said, adding that the conviction was the result of “the Biden administration in order to wound or hurt a political opponent.
“We’ll keep fighting, we’ll fight till the end, and we’ll win,” he said. “This was a rigged decision right from Day One with a conflicted judge who should have never been allowed to try this case,” referring to New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan, whom he called “corrupt.”
Republicans were quick to denounce the verdict.
“The decision today is further evidence that Democrats will stop at nothing to silence dissent and crush their political opponents,” House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said. “The American people see this as lawfare, and they know it is wrong — and dangerous. President Trump will rightfully appeal this absurd verdict — and he WILL WIN.”
Merchan thanked the jury for its service. “You were engaged in a very stressful and difficult task,” adding that he admired their dedication to the work.
President Biden’s re-election campaign responded to the verdict in a statement, careful not to crow about Trump’s conviction.
“Donald Trump has always mistakenly believed he would never face consequences for breaking the law for his own personal gain,” Michael Tyler, the campaign’s communications director, said in a statement. “But today’s verdict does not change the fact that the American people face a simple reality. There is still only one way to keep Donald Trump out of the Oval Office: at the ballot box. Convicted felon or not, Trump will be the Republican nominee for president.”
2) An entry in the Detail General Ledger for the Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust on or about Feb. 14, 2017.
3) An entry in the Detail General Ledger for the Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust on or about Feb. 14, 2017.
4) A Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust Account check and check stub dated Feb. 14, 2017.
5) An invoice from Michael Cohen dated Feb. 16, 2017 and transmitted on or about March 16, 2017.
6) An entry in the Detail General Ledger for the Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust on or about March 17, 2017.
7) A Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust Account check and check stub dated March 17, 2017.
8) An invoice from Michael Cohen dated April 13, 2017.
9) An entry in the Detail General Ledger for Donald J. Trump on or about June 19, 2017.
10) A Donald J. Trump account check and check stub dated June 19, 2017.
11) An invoice from Michael Cohen dated May 22, 2017.
12) An entry in the Detail General Ledger for Donald J. Trump on or about May 22, 2017.
13) A Donald J. Trump account check and check stub dated May 23, 2017.
14) An invoice from Michael Cohen dated June 16, 2017.
15) An entry in the Detail General Ledger for Donald J. Trump on or about June 19, 2017.
16) A Donald J. Trump account check and check stub dated June 19, 2017.
17) An invoice from Michael Cohen dated July 11, 2017.
18) An entry in the Detail General Ledger for Donald J. Trump on or about July 11, 2017.
19) A Donald J. Trump account check and check stub dated July 11, 2017.
20) An invoice from Michael Cohen dated Aug. 1, 2017.
21) An entry in the Detail General Ledger for Donald J. Trump on or about Aug. 1, 2017.
22) A Donald J. Trump account check and check stub dated Aug. 1, 2017.
23) An invoice from Michael Cohen dated Sept. 11, 2017.
24) An entry in the Detail General Ledger for Donald J. Trump on or about Sept. 11, 2017.
25) A Donald J. Trump account check and check stub dated Sept. 12, 2017.
26) An invoice from Michael Cohen dated Oct. 18, 2017.
27) An entry in the Detail General Ledger for Donald J. Trump on or about Oct. 18, 2017.
28) A Donald J. Trump account check and check stub dated Oct. 18, 2017.
29) An invoice from Michael Cohen dated Nov. 20, 2017.
30) An entry in the Detail General Ledger for Donald J. Trump on or about Nov. 20, 2017.
31) A Donald J. Trump account check and check stub dated Nov. 21, 2017.
32) An invoice from Michael Cohen dated Dec. 1, 2017.
33) An entry in the Detail General Ledger for Donald J. Trump on or about Dec. 1, 2017.
34) A Donald J. Trump account check and check stub dated Dec. 5, 2017.
This story is being updated. Check back for further developments.
