The court’s decision has come in the hush money case. Donald Trump is the first former US President to be found guilty of any criminal charges. This had never happened in American history. Donald Trump has been found guilty of all 34 charges. The jury deliberated for nearly 10 hours before returning a verdict against Donald Trump. All this has happened before the US presidential election, which is a big blow for Donald Trump. The sentencing hearing for Donald Trump will now take place on July 11. As reported by The Economist But it’s unclear whether another lawsuit, which accuses him of defrauding the country and mishandling sensitive documents, will. In that case the decision will come before the election or not. Whether a majority of American voters would agree that Trump should face off against presumptive Democratic nominee President Joe Biden is uncertain.
Falsification of business records
Trial: 15 April-30 May 2024
Donald Trump has so far been indicted in the only case that has gone to trial. Trump was convicted of all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. Chronologically, this charge was brought first, but in terms of importance, it is the least serious of the charges against Trump. Falsifying business records is not a crime unless it leads to another crime. The case was legally complex. Prosecutors compounded his crime by arguing that Trump violated New York state election law, which makes it a felony to conspire to illegally influence an action. Sentencing in this case is scheduled for July 11. However, the former president can be jailed. But most experts believe this is unlikely because he is a non-violent first-time offender.
Also Read- Explainer: What is hush money, which Trump was accused of, why it is more serious in America
Election interference in Georgia
The public prosecutor filed a motion on November 17, 2023, seeking a hearing date of August 5, 2024.
According to State Attorney Fanny Willis, Trump committed a criminal act. He attempted to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in Georgia, a state he lost. On August 14, 2023, Willis indicted Trump on charges including fraud. Trump used a law designed for the mafia to target his opponents. Their alleged crimes vary. Some of his supporters, known as ‘fake voters’, are said to have submitted false papers to Congress claiming that Trump had won Georgia and that he had harassed election workers and stolen polling data. Willis claims that Trump united them and inspired their illegal actions.
Interference in elections
Trial: Originally scheduled for March 4, 2024, but postponed
Jack Smith has alleged that Trump tried to change the outcome of the 2020 presidential election. This is the most serious case against the former President. Smith is an independent attorney appointed by United States Attorney General Merrick Garland. On August 1, 2023, Smith accused Trump of conspiring to defraud the United States, obstruct official proceedings, and deprive Americans of the right to have their votes counted. Trump’s lawyers argue that he should be immune from prosecution for actions related to his official duties. Former presidents cannot be sued in civil court for such actions, and Trump wants this “absolute presidential immunity” to be extended to the criminal area. Smith says Trump’s alleged overturning of the election results was contrary to official duty. The trial, which was originally scheduled to begin on March 4, has been delayed as a result of this appeal. On February 6, a court in Washington DC rejected Trump’s argument. He requested the Supreme Court to stay the case.
Also Read- Explainer: When the court convicted Trump of sexual assault a year ago, what was the punishment?
Misuse of documents
Trial: Postponed indefinitely
On June 13, 2023, in a separate case brought by Smith, Trump was tried in a Florida court on 37 charges related to the alleged misuse of classified documents after he left the White House. Most of the charges brought by the lawyer were under the Espionage Act of 1917, which made it a crime to possess secret government documents without permission. The former president is said to have maintained records about America’s nuclear-weapons program and the military capabilities of other countries. Trump is also accused of obstructing investigators. On July 27, 2023, prosecutors filed new charges against him, accusing him of attempting to destroy evidence. They allege that the former president knew that possessing and leaking classified papers was a serious crime; that he hid them in unguarded places and refused orders to hand them over; And he was bragging about their stuff. The indictment claims the documents were kept at various locations, including Mar-a-Lago, a private club in Florida where Trump lives.
There are many other cases
There are still many civil trials against Trump. In May 2023, a jury in Manhattan convicted a 1990s writer, E. Jean accused Trump of sexually assaulting Carroll and later defaming her. On January 26, a separate jury ordered him to pay more than $83 million in damages. New York State accused Trump of inflating his net worth to secure the loan. A judge found Trump guilty of fraud before the proceedings began and on February 16 ordered him to pay $355 million (including interest). He was barred from holding top positions in New York corporations for three years.
Tags: America News, Donald Trump, Donald Trump supporters, US President Joe Biden
First published: May 31, 2024, 12:58 IST