In a historic verdict, Donald Trump has become the first former US president to be criminally convicted, News About Nigeria reports.
A New York City jury found Trump guilty on all 34 counts of falsifying business documents in connection with a hush-money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign.
After a seven-week trial and two days of deliberation, the jury delivered its unanimous verdict on Thursday afternoon.
Prosecutors had called nearly two dozen witnesses to testify against Trump, presenting evidence that he attempted to cover up the payment to boost his chances in the election, which he won.
Trump now faces a maximum sentence of four years in prison, although similar cases often result in shorter sentences, fines, or probation.
His sentencing is scheduled for July 11, just days before the Republican National Convention on July 15, where he is expected to be formally nominated as the GOP candidate for president.
Outside the courthouse, Trump denounced the conviction as a “disgrace”, claiming the trial was “rigged” and the judge was “conflicted”.
He maintained his innocence, saying, “This is long from over.”
Following the conviction, Trump departed in a convoy of black SUVs for a dinner engagement in New York City.
In response to the verdict, a spokesperson for President Joe Biden stated, “No one is above the law.”
Michael Tyler, the communications director for the Biden-Harris campaign, criticised Trump, saying, “Donald Trump has always mistakenly believed he would never face consequences for breaking the law for his own personal gain.”
Tyler warned of the dangers of a potential second Trump term, stating, “The threat Trump poses to our democracy has never been greater. He is running an increasingly unhinged campaign of revenge and retribution, pledging to be a dictator ‘on day one’ and calling for our Constitution to be ‘terminated’ so he can regain and keep power.”
