Washington (Web Desk/Agencies): Donald Trump, the US President-elect, will not face jail time or a fine for his criminal conviction related to hush money payments made to an adult film star, a judge ruled on Friday.
According to reports, the decision, however, will still carry a judgment of guilt, which will remain on his permanent record.
Justice Juan Merchan, overseeing the case, chose to impose an unconditional discharge, meaning no additional penalties such as incarceration, fines, or probation will be applied.
Trump, 78, maintains his innocence, having pleaded not guilty to the charges, and has expressed his intention to appeal the verdict.
Before the sentencing, he appeared in court via a live video feed, with two American flags positioned behind him. “It’s been a political witch hunt,” he commented, continuing, “It was done to damage my reputation so I would lose the election and obviously that didn’t work.”
He further declared, “I’m totally innocent, I did nothing wrong,” said Trump, who did not testify during the six-week trial last year.
The case now moves into the appeals process, a lengthy procedure that could extend for several years, potentially overlapping with Trump’s presidency.
The timing of the sentencing, just days before he is set to take office, had raised concerns for Trump, who fought to avoid the spectacle of having to appear before a state-level judge at this critical moment.
His bid to halt the proceedings was ultimately rejected by the USSupreme Court on Thursday.
This trial, which took place against the backdrop of Trump’s ongoing campaign to reclaim the White House, culminates in a historic first: the criminal case against a sitting or former president.
With this conviction on his record, Trump will make history as the first president to assume office while having been convicted of a crime.