Donald Trump Sentenced

Donald Trump has officially been sentenced in New York City following his 34 count conviction in the hush money criminal trial last year. Justice Juan Merchan handed down an unconditional discharge sentence, meaning Trump will not serve any time behind bars so long as he avoids being arrested again in the future. 

Justice Merchan previously signaled in his order setting this matter for sentencing that he would sentence trump to the unconditional discharge term. It is one of the primary reasons the United States Supreme Court allowed today's sentencing to move forward. 

Trump elected to waive his appearance in person and appeared virtually for the sentencing alongside his attorney, Todd Blanche, who has also been nominated to serve as the next Deputy Attorney General of the United States. One of his other attorneys, Emil Bove, appeared in person in court. 

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg acknowledged that any sentence other than an unconditional discharge would be difficult to execute given the fact that Trump will be sworn in as President of the United States in just ten days. 

As a result of today's sentencing, Trump has officially become the first President in history to be sentenced for a criminal offense. This sentence, and the conviction, will remain on Trump's record for the rest of his life assuming the conviction and/ or sentence is not overturned on appeal.