President Donald Trump Claims Political Victimization, Granted Unconditional Release in New York Hush Money Case

President Donald Trump Claims Political Victimization, Granted Unconditional Release in New York Hush Money Case

Just before assuming office as the President of the United States, Donald Trump was convicted in New York's hush money case. However, the newly elected President Trump has avoided jail time or fines. The conviction will remain on his permanent record, but it will not impede his ability to assume the presidency.

On Friday, Judge Juan Merchan granted Trump "unconditional release." A day earlier, the U.S. Supreme Court had rejected Trump's legal team's effort to stay the ruling. Trump was convicted on 34 counts of business document fraud, including the $130,000 hush money payment made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels before the 2016 presidential election.

Judge Merchan stated, "This case was unique and complex, but ultimately, the court believes that imposing conditions would serve no purpose."

Appearing virtually, Trump said, "This was a political vendetta. It was done to tarnish my reputation so that I would lose the election, and clearly, it didn't work."

New York prosecutors argued that the payment was made to conceal allegations of a sexual relationship with Daniels, which could have been politically damaging. However, Trump maintained that he committed no crime and pled not guilty. He plans to appeal the conviction.

Reporting from Washington, D.C., Al Jazeera's Alan Fisher said, "Prosecutors argued that it was important to hold Donald Trump accountable."

It is worth noting that Trump served as the U.S. President from 2017 to 2021 and is set to assume office for a second term after winning the 2024 election.