On January 3, Judge Juan Merchan of the New York State Supreme Court announced that a ruling on the 'hush money' case involving Trump would be made on January 10. This news immediately stirred public opinion, as the main character is very likely to be the President of the United States, Trump, who is set to take office on January 20.
As soon as the news broke, Trump quickly responded through social media. On the evening of the 3rd, he posted that he is the only political figure in American history unable to defend himself, with his words filled with dissatisfaction and indignation. Early on the 4th, his rhetoric became even more intense, first accusing Judge Merchan of being 'corrupt and dishonest' and strongly calling for the revocation of his professional qualifications; then he complained about being subjected to unprecedented illegal treatment and directed his ire toward Democratic judges and prosecutors, claiming they are 'corrupt' and treating political opponents in an extremely unfair manner.
In this case, Trump's court appearance is undecided; he may either appear in person or choose to appear via remote connection. This means that if the inauguration proceeds as scheduled, Trump will first have to face this trial before taking the oath of office. It is worth mentioning that historically, no president in the United States has faced such charges before taking office, let alone been convicted.
Looking back at this case, during the 2016 presidential election, Trump falsified business records to cover up the payment of $130,000 in 'hush money' to a film actress, which became the catalyst for the case. On May 30, 2024, a New York City jury found Trump guilty on 34 criminal charges. Since then, the sentencing date has changed multiple times, from the initial date of July 11 to November 26, and then indefinitely postponed until December 16, when Judge Juan Merchan confirmed the guilty verdict was valid.
Although Trump is almost certain to become the first president in U.S. history to be convicted, there are still variables at play. Merchan stated that, given practical circumstances such as presidential immunity, unconditional release might be the most feasible option. This means that even if Trump is convicted, he may not serve time in prison. However, judges are likely to condemn Trump's actions in court at that time.
Additionally, Trump is expected to appeal, which will undoubtedly delay the final verdict. However, if the appeal fails and the original ruling cannot be overturned, he is very likely to assume the presidency with a criminal conviction. This incident not only impacts the U.S. judicial system but also adds more uncertainty to the direction of American politics, making the subsequent developments worth continuous attention.