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Jimmy Williams
Former President Donald Trump, found guilty on all counts in his hush money trial last week, has suggested that a sentence of house arrest or imprisonment could trigger a public outcry.
Speaking in a 90-minute interview with “Fox & Friends Weekend,” Trump addressed the possibility of being sentenced by Judge Juan Merchan on July 11, days before the Republican National Convention.
Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, acknowledged the possibility of such a sentence, stating, “I’m OK with it” and “it could happen.” However, he warned that it might be “tough” for the public to accept. “I don’t know that the public would stand it. You know, I don’t — I’m not sure the public would stand for it,” Trump said. “I think it would be tough for the public to take. You know, at a certain point, there’s a breaking point.”
Following Trump’s conviction, his supporters have issued violent threats against Judge Merchan and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, using the same online platforms that coordinated the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack. A message board frequented by Trump supporters has even sought to publicize the addresses of the jurors involved in the case.
Trump’s comments come in the wake of his conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records. The class E felony charges carry potential penalties of fines, probation, or up to four years in prison per count. However, experts believe it’s unlikely that Trump will face prison time due to his age, lack of a criminal record, and other mitigating factors.
Throughout the trial and its aftermath, Trump has repeatedly claimed the proceedings were “rigged.” He described the trial as a “scam” and accused President Joe Biden and his administration of orchestrating the legal actions against him. “This is all done by [President Joe] Biden and his people. This is done by Washington. No one has ever seen anything like this,” Trump said at an event at Trump Tower.
Trump has vowed to appeal the jury’s verdict, stating, “We’re going to be appealing this scam. We’re going to be appealing it on many different things.” He also referenced a partial gag order imposed by Judge Merchan, which prohibits him from speaking about court staff, potential jurors, and potential witnesses. Violations of this order have previously resulted in fines and warnings of potential imprisonment.
In response to Trump’s accusations, President Biden condemned his remarks, saying, “It’s reckless, it’s dangerous, it’s irresponsible for anyone to say this was rigged just because they don’t like the verdict.”
The unfolding legal battles and Trump’s stance continue to shape the political landscape as the 2024 election approaches, with significant implications for both his campaign and the broader political climate.
