Donald Trump became the first former president to be convicted of felony crimes Thursday as a New York jury found him guilty of falsifying business records in a scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election through hush money payments to a porn actor who said the two had sex.
As the verdicts were read, President Trump sat still, didn’t show emotion, and looked straight ahead.
President Trump’s attorney has previously vowed to appeal a conviction expeditiously.
Judge Juan Merchan set the sentencing hearing for 10 a.m. on July 11. This is four days before the Republican National Convention where the former president is set to be formally designated as GOP nominee. President Trump is not barred from running for president as a convicted felon.
President Trump blasted the decision, pledging to contest the conviction.
“This was a rigged decision right from day one. And we will fight for our Constitution,” he said outside the courtroom.
