'I did my job': Alvin Bragg praises jury for convicting Trump

Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg spoke to press on Thursday evening in the wake of the conviction of President Donald Trump by a New York jury. Bragg told reporters, "I did my job," and then praised the jury for finding in his favor. He said he was "proud and humbled" to work with the prosecution in what he believes is a historic case. 

Bragg, who ran on a platform of prosecuting Trump, had finally fulfilled that campaign promise after the jury convicted him on 34 felony counts of the falsification of business records in the first degree. Each of those 34 counts represents an invoice, payment, or receipt of payments made from Trump to his then-attorney Michael Cohen.  

Bragg spoke after the ruling, thanking the jurors, and said that "this type of white-collar prosecution is core to what" Bragg's office does in Manhattan. He then called back to the era of the 1930s to tout the office's 90-year history and referenced Thomas Dewey, who prosecuted organized criminal activity in New York during his time in the office.  

"For now nearly 90 years, dedicated professionals in this office have built upon that fine tradition. A major part of our practice during that nearly 90 years has been public integrity work," Bragg added.  

He then said that the prosecution team embodies the "finest traditions" of the DA's office and touted their "integrity, dedication, and service." He referred to the prosecution team as "model public servants" and that he was "proud and humbled" to work with them prosecuting Trump.  

Bragg then said it was through the law alone that the jurors reached the decision that they did in convicting Trump on the 34 counts to allegedly conceal a scheme to corrupt the results of the 2016 election.  

When pressed on questions, Bragg said, "I did my job. Our job is to follow the facts and the law." He then added, "The only voice that matters is the voice of the jury, and the jury has spoken." 

The 34 falsiifed business records counts against Trump would usually be misdemeanor charges in the state of New York. This is found under New York Penal Law 175.10. While the counts on their own are misdemeanors, when committed with another crime, the business records changes can be escalated up to felony charges. Bragg and his team have made that allegation in the case. 

The code states: "§ 175.10 Falsifying business records in the first degree. A person is guilty of falsifying business records in the first degree when he commits the crime of falsifying business records in the second degree, and when his intent to defraud includes an intent to commit another crime or to aid or conceal the commission thereof. Falsifying business records in the first degree is a class E felony." Trump had been served 34 class E felonies counts.  

Prior to the jury making the decision on the case, they were instructed that they did not have to agree on what other criminal action was taken by Trump in order to make the falsified business records charges into felonies, just that they had to agree that another criminal act was committed. Trump faces a potential sentence of 134 years in prison, 4 years for every count, when he is sentenced on July 11.