The audio tape of President-elect Trump’s New York City sentencing hearing was released on Friday. It revealed new details about the unprecedented conviction of a former president. Trump was sentenced to an unconditional discharge.
"This has been a very terrible experience," Trump said, virtually attending the hearing. "I think it's been a tremendous setback for New York and the New York court system."
He went on to criticize the case against him. "This is a case that Alvin Bragg did not want to bring," he said. "A gentleman from a law firm came in and acted as a district attorney... And that gentleman, from what I heard, was a criminal or almost criminal in what he did."
Trump did not hold back his feelings. "I think it's an embarrassment to New York," he added. "New York has a lot of problems, but this is a great embarrassment."
Appearing virtually, Trump addressed Judge Juan Merchan directly. He tied the case to politics and the recent election. "It's been a political witch hunt," he stated. "It was done to damage my reputation... And obviously, that didn’t work. The people of our country got to see this firsthand, and then they voted, and I won."
Assistant District Attorney Josh Steinglass disagreed. He argued the jury’s verdict was based on overwhelming evidence. Steinglass accused Trump of damaging public trust in the justice system and endangering court officials with his public comments.
Trump’s attorney, Todd Blanche, defended his client. "I very, very much disagree with much of what the government just said," Blanche stated. He criticized the prosecution’s handling of the case and Trump’s portrayal throughout the trial.
Judge Merchan stood by his actions in the case. He called sentencing one of the most challenging parts of a judge’s job. "The imposition of sentence is one of the most difficult decisions," he said, emphasizing the need to consider all circumstances.
Merchan called the case "extraordinary" but said the trial itself was not unlike others once the courtroom doors closed. He acknowledged Trump’s legal rights but stressed that those rights do not erase a jury’s verdict.
In delivering the sentence, Merchan wished Trump well. "Sir, I wish you Godspeed as you assume the second term in office," he said. The unconditional discharge meant no jail time, fines, or probation.
Trump’s legal team confirmed they will appeal the conviction. Despite the case, Trump is set to be sworn in as the 47th president of the United States on Jan. 20.