Trump will waive the penalty of imprisonment or fines if he is released unconditionally

A judge has ordered the “unconditional impeachment” of US President-elect Donald Trump, ending the former US president’s first criminal trial.

A conviction in the case of prison and fines means the incoming president is spared any punishment, including jail time or fines, but will still serve as the first US president with a felony conviction.

“This court has never been presented with such unique and extraordinary circumstances,” calling it a “truly unusual case,” Judge Juan Mershan said shortly before handing down the sentence.

Appearing via video call from Florida and accompanied by his lawyer and two iconic American flags, Trump said: “I am absolutely innocent.”

It was the first time in the year-and-a-half legal saga that Trump has said more than “not guilty” or given a brief affirmative answer.

Given the chance to speak before the sentencing, Trump argued the case for several minutes.

“It’s a horrible experience,” he said.

He said the justice system was “weaponized” and that the case was brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg for political reasons.

“I want to explain that I have been treated very, very unfairly, and thank you very much,” he said before falling silent.

When Bragg first saw Trump talking to him, he had a mostly stoic expression. But Trump scoffed that Bragg never wanted to bring up the issue.

After Trump made his comments, Judge Mercan took some time to reflect on the “paradox” of the trial.

Judge Mershan said that despite the media and political circus, “once the doors of the court were closed, it was no different from all the other cases happening at the same time.”

But after Trump’s conviction, the issue took a different turn when the American people voted for the president’s second term in November.

After careful consideration, he determined that “the only legal penalty, without prejudice to the highest office of the nation,” was unconditional discharge—a ruling that could not be imposed on a president of the American people pending a court case.

Trump was found guilty by a New York jury on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in May 2024. The sentencing has been delayed several times due to Supreme Court rulings and the November presidential election.

The lawsuit originated in In the waning days of the 2016 elections, it was a conspiracy to cover up security payments to a prominent film star. Prosecutors argued the payment was a form of election interference aimed at keeping sensitive information from voters and therefore violated the law.

In October 2016, Trump prosecutor Michael Cohen paid a woman, Stormy Daniels, $130,000 (£106,000) to keep quiet about an alleged affair with the soon-to-be president.

After he was elected, Trump allegedly billed Cohen for part of his money — then falsely documenting it as legal expenses. Each of Trump’s convictions relates to a cover-up of false documents.

Trump has pleaded not guilty to the charges and has denied having sex with Ms. Daniels. He reiterated that the issue was politically motivated immigration.

The six-week trial became a legal, political and media firestorm. Big names like Cohen and Daniels stood up to face questions from Trump’s lawyers.

Trump brings dozens of family members and Republican allies to court each day to fill the benches behind the defense table. Every day, he turns the small media pen in the corridor outside the courthouse into a personal platform to lash out at the justice system, the press and other opponents.

Trump used the trial’s furore to rally millions of supporters for his legal battle and campaign to retake the White House.

In the four years between his terms, Trump has been indicted on four separate charges, including the New York case. In the end, this was the only thing that would go to trial.

On the campaign trail and on social media, Trump has used his legal bluster to portray himself — and his supporters — as victims of a rigged justice system.

Trump narrowly defeated Vice President Kamala Harris in November despite several impeachments, including two centered on his attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

He dropped two federal charges in his victory, including one of federal election interference and one of mishandling classified documents. Third, the election meddling case in Fulton County, Georgia has been stuck for months in a series of delays and side dramas.

Trump’s hush money hearings only came to a conclusion after Judge Mershan dug in his heels in early January and demanded that Trump appear in person for the sentencing.

The war did not end there. Trump’s lawyers have filed furious appeals, even petitioning the US Supreme Court to stop Friday’s hearing.

The Supreme Court rejected it in a brief order Thursday night.

President-elects have fought to have the charges dismissed, arguing that they are entitled to immunity from criminal prosecution, and have continued to appeal to higher courts despite Judge Mersha’s dismissal.

Trump’s New York trial ended on Friday with the final blow of the gavel, marking a particularly significant chapter in his personal and political history.

Ten days later, he will become the first US president to be convicted of a felony when he takes the oath of office.

Judge Mershan had one final message for Trump as he concluded his sentence on Friday.

“I wish you God as you assume your second term of office,” he said.