Former President Donald Trump announced that he plans to appeal his recent conviction, which marks the first time a U.S. president has been found guilty of a crime. Trump will have to wait until after his sentencing on July 11 before initiating the appeal process.
Speaking from the Trump Tower lobby in Manhattan, where he launched his first presidential campaign in 2015, Trump reiterated his claims that the trial was a “rigged” effort to impede his bid for the White House. “If they can do this to me, they can do this to anyone,” Trump, 77, said during an unscripted 33-minute speech. The former president did not take questions from reporters.
“We’re going to be appealing this scam,” he declared. Trump will have 30 days from his July 11 sentencing to file a notice of appeal.
Democratic President Joe Biden, who is set to face Trump in the November 5 election, responded to Trump’s comments by emphasizing the integrity of the justice system. “It’s reckless, it’s dangerous, it’s irresponsible for anyone to say this was rigged just because they don’t like the verdict,” Biden, 81, said at the White House.
Thursday’s guilty verdict thrusts the United States into uncharted territory. Trump was convicted of falsifying business records, a charge that carries a maximum sentence of four years in prison. Typically, individuals convicted of this crime receive shorter sentences, fines, or probation. However, Trump’s public criticism of jurors and witnesses during the trial, which resulted in a $10,000 fine from Justice Juan Merchan, could lead to a harsher sentence, according to former New York prosecutor Rebecca Roiphe.
Any sentence is likely to be suspended pending the appeals process. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a close ally of Trump, predicted that the U.S. Supreme Court would eventually overturn the verdict. “I think they’ll set this straight, but it’s going to take a while,” he said.
Even if incarcerated, Trump would still be able to campaign and, if successful, assume office. His sentencing on July 11 comes shortly before the Republican Party is set to formally nominate him as its presidential candidate at its convention in Milwaukee.
Trump was found guilty of 34 criminal counts related to falsifying documents to cover up a hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, aimed at influencing the 2016 election. Trump defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton in that election. Trump continues to face three other criminal prosecutions related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results and mishandling classified documents, but the New York verdict may be the only one resolved before the 2024 election.
Trump has pleaded not guilty to all charges, calling them politically motivated. A source close to his campaign suggested that the conviction might prompt Trump to consider a female vice-presidential running mate.
National opinion polls show a tight race between Trump and Biden, with some Republican voters expressing hesitation about supporting Trump if he is convicted of a felony. However, Trump’s campaign reported a surge in fundraising following the verdict, raising $35 million from small donors, nearly doubling its previous daily record. Several major Republican donors also pledged continued support despite the conviction.
The jury found Trump guilty after a trial that included explicit testimony from Daniels about a 2006 encounter with Trump, which he denies. Michael Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer, testified that Trump approved a $130,000 hush money payment to Daniels, disguising the reimbursement as legal fees.
Falsifying business documents is typically a misdemeanor in New York, but Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office elevated the charge to a felony, arguing that Trump concealed an illegal campaign contribution. If re-elected, Trump could potentially dismiss the federal cases against him related to the 2020 election and classified documents, but he would not have the authority to halt a separate election-related case in Georgia.
