Also, Biden will allow Ukraine to use U.S. weapons in Russia. Here’s the latest at the end of Thursday.
Donald Trump was convicted today of falsifying records to cover up a sex scandal that threatened to derail his 2016 presidential campaign. He is the first American president to be declared a felon.
After two days of deliberations, a jury of 12 New Yorkers found the former president guilty of all 34 felony charges. Their decision capped an extraordinary trial that tested the resilience of the American justice system and will reverberate into November’s election.
Trump did not visibly respond to the verdict, my colleague Jonah Bromwich reported from the courtroom. He slowly stood up as the jurors exited, with a frown on his face. He did not look at the jurors as they left, his eyes downcast.
Outside the courtroom, Trump recited a litany of complaints he has made for the last several months: that the judge was biased, that the prosecutors brought his case as an effort to keep him out of the White House, and that he should have been granted a venue change because of how liberal-leaning Manhattan is. “The real verdict is going to be Nov. 5, by the people,” Trump said.
The judge overseeing the case, Juan Merchan, will sentence Trump on July 11, just days before the Republican National Convention. He could impose a prison term of up to four years.
But Trump could receive probation instead, and may never see the inside of a prison cell. He is certain to appeal the verdict — meaning it may be years before the case is resolved — and he will remain free at least until sentencing, campaigning for the presidency while he awaits his punishment.
