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An audio tape of President-elect Trump’s sentencing hearing in New York City was released Friday, providing insight into the unprecedented conviction of a former president for which Trump was ultimately sentenced to unconditional release.
“This is a very terrible experience,” Trump said in a New York City courtroom Friday morning, appearing virtually at the criminal trial’s sentencing hearing. “I think this was a huge setback for New York and the New York court system.”
“This is a case that Alvin Bragg didn’t want to bring. From what I’ve read and heard, he thought the case was handled improperly before he got there, and the law firm’s A gentleman came in and represented us in the district court “attorney,” the president-elect continued. “And from what I’ve heard, that gentleman was a criminal or near-criminal in his actions. It was very inappropriate. It was someone associated with a political opponent of mine.”
“I think this is a shame for New York, and New York has a lot of problems, but this is a big shame,” he added.
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At one point, in a virtual appearance, Trump leaned forward to look at Judge Juan Melchán and mentioned the November election, suggesting it represented a repudiation of the case.
“This is a political witch hunt,” Trump said. “It was done to tarnish my reputation so that I would lose the election. And obviously, it didn’t work. And the people of our country should take this case to your court.” They needed to see it.” And they voted and I won. ”
“There is overwhelming evidence supporting the jury’s verdict,” Assistant District Attorney Josh Steinglass said, adding that President-elect Trump “has caused lasting damage to the public’s perception of the criminal justice system and placed court officials in an unfair position.” He criticized Mr. Trump by saying, “A path of harm,” he said, citing comments he made publicly during the trial.
“I am extremely concerned about much of what the government has just said about this case, the legitimacy of what happened in this courtroom during the trial, and President Trump’s conduct in fighting this case before and during the indictment. “I strongly disagree with the jury’s verdict, and to this day,” Trump’s attorney Todd Blanche said in response to prosecutors.
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Former President Trump will be arraigned before Judge Juan Machan after surrendering to New York authorities in April 2024 in New York County Criminal Court. (Seth Wenig-Pool photo from USA TODAY)
During the hearing, Marchan defended his actions along the way.
“Sentencing is one of the most difficult decisions for a criminal court judge,” Marchan said, noting that the court “must consider the facts of the case, as well as any aggravating or mitigating circumstances.” .
Reflecting on the case, Marchand said, “Never before has a situation so unique been presented to this court.” The judge said it was an “unusual case” with increased media attention and increased security, but once the courtroom doors closed, the trial itself was “no more special or unusual” than any other case. said.
Marchand acknowledged that President Trump has important legal protections, but argued that “one power they haven’t given them is the power to expunge a jury verdict.”
“Your Excellency, I wish you all the best in your second term,” Machan said at the end of the hearing.
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In this courtroom sketch, former President Trump faces charges of falsifying business records to hide money paid to silence porn star Stormy Daniels, May 29, 2024, in Manhattan state court in New York City. Judge Juan Machan instructs the jury before deliberations during the criminal trial of . 2016. (Reuters/Jane Rosenberg)
Machan’s unconditional release sentence means he will not face any penalties such as jail time, fines or suspended sentences. The ruling also preserves President Trump’s ability to appeal his conviction.
“After careful analysis, this court has determined that the only lawful sentence to allow a conviction to begin is an unconditional discharge,” Machan said Friday. “At this time, I would impose that sentence to cover all 34 counts.”
Trump’s team said in court that he plans to appeal the conviction and that he will be sworn in as the 47th president of the United States on January 20.
Fox News Digital’s Brooke Singman contributed to this report.
Andrew Mark Miller is a reporter for FOX News. Find him on Twitter @andymarkmiller and email your tips to AndrewMark.Miller@Fox.com.
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