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Donald Trump has been found guilty of all 34 charges at his trial in New York City (WHYY)
by Mick the Ram
Amid incredible drama, Donald Trump has been found guilty by jurors of falsifying business records to conceal a hush-money payment made to former porn star Stormy Daniels.
The 12 jurors deliberated for two days before reaching a unanimous verdict, making it the first time a former or serving US president has been convicted of a crime.
Mr Trump stood accused of concealing a payment made by his former lawyer and fixer, Michael Cohen, to buy the ex-adult film star’s silence regarding a sexual encounter, shortly before the 2016 election.
Leaving court Mr Trump called the verdict a “disgrace” and lashed out at the court process, claiming he was unfairly treated.
He will be sentenced on 11 July and could face prison, although legal experts predict that a fine is the more likely outcome.
The verdict comes as he campaigns to return to the White House in the November election.
Unflinching Trump as verdicts given
When the verdicts were being read out, Donald Trump sat motionless at the defence table, not flinching but simply sitting with lips pursed, as on 34 occasions he was found guilty of the charges brought against him.
Paying hush money is not illegal and was not what the crime was in this case. It was in actual fact the way in which Trump reimbursed the man who arranged it, together with the reason it was paid in the first place.
After being elected president, he repaid Mr Cohen in a series of cheques, which were recorded as legal expenses, and was therefore a falsification of business records, which was also an effort to conceal from voters a negative story, which could have harmed Trump’s election chances.
Still insisting his innocence despite verdict
When he emerged from court, Mr Trump was his usual bullish self. “This was a disgrace, this was a rigged trial and it is far from over” he insisted; before claiming once more that he is “a very innocent man”.
A police escort led his motorcade of multiple black SUV’s away from the courthouse in rush hour traffic.
Trump fans likely to take inspiration
The guilty verdict will undoubtedly invigorate his fanatical supporters and help him raise funds for both his campaign for the presidency, and his mounting legal costs.
Within a few minutes of being convicted his Truth Social account was already posting fundraising requests. “I am a political prisoner” his post read. An email was also sent out asking for donations to “help win back the White House and make America great again!”
Nobody above the law
Michael Cohen who was one of the key witnesses in the trial, said: “Today is an important day for accountability and the rule of law”.
The Biden camp issued a statement that pointed out that the verdict had proved that “nobody is above the law”. They did point out however, that it still did not change the fact that the American people faced a simple reality.
There was, they said, only one way to keep Mr Trump out of the Oval Office, and that was “at the ballot box”, because as a convicted felon or not, “Donald Trump will be the Republican nominee for president.”
Americans can indeed vote for a presidential candidate even if they are in jail.
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