Trump's return to presidency overshadowed by historic conviction
"The first term of Donald Trump already proved that we are dealing with an entirely new political and legal reality that American democracy has to address. While many Europeans are surprised that a person convicted of a crime can hold the highest office in the nation, in American constitutional reality, such a situation is permissible," comments Professor Paweł Laidler, an Americanist, lawyer, and political scientist from Jagiellonian University, for us.
On January 20, 2025, Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 47th President of the United States. His return to power will occur under the shadow of a historic conviction for a financial crime. The verdict pertains to the infamous "hush money" case—a payment of $130,000 to Stormy Daniels, an adult film actress, in exchange for her silence about an alleged affair with Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign.
Trial and Verdict
The trial concluded on January 10, 2025, with Judge Juan Merchan announcing a conviction against Donald Trump for falsifying business records. The verdict emphasized the unconditional release of the guilty party, refraining from imposing a prison sentence or a fine. This decision was justified by the need to protect the office of the president and avoid potential constitutional complications related to Trump assuming office a few days later.
"In this respect, the judge's decision to refrain from executing the verdict was easy to foresee, and his reference to the uniqueness and importance of the presidency leads to the conclusion that in the next four years, the mentioned criminal proceedings will not burden Trump's presidency but may strengthen his position concerning other segments of power," explains Professor Laidler.
"The American public has the right to a presidency unencumbered by pending court proceedings or ongoing sentence-related obligations, but imposing this sentence ensures that finality. Sentencing the defendant permits this court to enter judgment to cement the defendant's status as a convicted felon while he pursues whatever appeals he intends to pursue, and it gives full effect and respect to the jury's verdict while preserving the defendant's ability to govern," stated Judge Merchan towards the president-elect in the courtroom.
The verdict followed a trial lasting over a year. In May 2024, the jury found Trump guilty on all 34 counts of falsifying business documents designed to conceal the payment as "legal expenses." The verdict was unanimous, and prosecutors highlighted that Trump's actions aimed to influence the outcome of the 2016 presidential election. Despite the defense's efforts to delay the trial, the decision of the New York State Supreme Court allowed the case to conclude before the inauguration.
Controversies around Trump's conviction: reactions and comments
Donald Trump consistently denied his guilt. "I am completely innocent. It's a political witch hunt," said the former president. On the day of the verdict, he added, "They called a lawyer's fee a legal expense. That's what I've been accused of. It's unbelievable."
Meanwhile, Michael Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer and the main witness for the prosecution, expressed disappointment with the court's decision. "If there's no accountability, then what's the point of pursuing such cases?" asked Cohen, who previously served a prison sentence for his participation in the scheme.
Will the verdict affect Trump's second term?
"A Kamala Harris victory would have made her the first female president. Instead, Mr Trump will become the first person to be convicted of a felony to assume the US presidency," writes Sky News.
Despite the conviction, Donald Trump did not lose the support of his followers. His return to the White House indicates deep divisions in American society and the former president's extraordinary ability to survive crises. In the face of numerous other legal proceedings, including those regarding the storage of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago and financial cases in New York, Trump will face a term full of challenges.
"The first term of Donald Trump already proved that we are dealing with an entirely new political and legal reality," summarizes Professor Paweł Laidler. He points out that the ruling in Trump v. United States from July 2024, which expanded presidential immunity and limited accountability for actions taken within the framework of the office, may play a crucial role in the upcoming presidency. "It may turn out that challenges related to assessing the legality of the president’s behavior will become a permanent element of the forthcoming term."
As Trump’s history shows, the boundaries of American democracy are being tested, and questions about equality before the law remain ever relevant.
