BREAKING: Judge Juan Merchan issues Trump an 'unconditional discharge'—no prison, no fines

Judge Juan Merchan imposed a sentence of unconditional discharge on President-elect Donald Trump on Friday morning, coming after the Supreme Court declined to halt his sentencing in the falsified business records case out of New York. Unconditional discharge under New York state law means "the sentence is imposed without imprisonment, fine or probation supervision."

Trump told the court that "This was a case that Alvin Bragg did not want to bring, he thought" it was "inappropriately handled before he got in. A gentleman from a law firm came in and acted as a district attorney ... it was criminal, what he did." trump added that this person was "involved with my political opponent." Trump said "It was a legal expense." Trump said that legal experts who are "not exactly friends of mine" have said "this is a case that should have never been brought." He added, "it was done do damage my reputation so I would lose the election. Obviously, this did not work."

Trump continued, "I was under a gag order" and "I assume I'm still under a gag order." He said "I am totally innocent. I did nothing wrong. They talk about business records and the business records were extremely accurately counted ... that was done by an accountant or bookkeeper" who gave testimony that was "corroborated."

"With all that's happening in our country today, with a city that's burning to the ground, one of our largest and most important cities burning to the ground, with wars that are uncontrollably going on, with all the problems of inflation and attacks on countries and all of the horrible things going on, I got indicted over calling a legal expense a legal expense," he said, calling it an "embarrassment to New York." Trump added, "You have a gentleman sitting right there from the DOJ" who "got them to move on me."

"They call it Lawfare. Never happened to any extent like this but never happened in our country before. And I'd just like to explain I was treated very very unfairly. And I thank you very much."

Trump’s attorney Todd Blanche said, This case should not have been brought. After President Trump announced his intention to run for re-election, this case was brought. We intend on appealing. Many many legal experts share our views. The American people got to decide, as the trial was held during the election. President Trump was elected. This DA promised he would go after President Trump. That's sad. President Trump hopes this never happens again in this country."

Reading from a statement, the assistant district attorney said, "We must respect the office of the Presidency. So we request unconditional discharge, as the Court has indicated. This creates the status of convicted felon, as he appeals. The People recommend it."

Trump in May was convicted of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. His sentencing was originally set for July, but was postponed several times in the wake of the Supreme Court's July ruling that presidents have immunity for official acts, but not for unofficial ones. On January 3, Merchan set Trump's sentencing for January 10, just 10 days before Trump's inauguration. 

Merchan wrote, "Finding no legal impediment to sentencing and recognizing that Presidential immunity will likely attach once Defendant takes his Oath of Office, it is incumbent upon this Court to set this matter down for the imposition of sentence prior to January 20, 2025," adding, "This Court must sentence Defendant within a reasonable time following verdict; and Defendant must be permitted to avail himself of every available appeal, a path he has made clear he intends to pursue but which only becomes fully available upon sentencing."

In his order, Merchan said that unconditional discharge was "the most viable solution to ensure finality and allow Defendant to pursue his appellate options" and that the court had no inclination to "impose any sentence of incarceration, a sentence authorized by the conviction but one the People concede they no longer view as a practicable recommendation."

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