On January 3, Judge Juan Merchan of the New York State Supreme Court announced that a ruling on Trump's involvement in the 'hush money' case would be made on January 10. This news instantly stirred public opinion, especially since the main character is the president of the United States, who is very likely to be inaugurated on January 20.
Once 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 U.S. history unable to defend himself, filled with dissatisfaction and indignation. On the morning of the 4th, his remarks became even more intense, first accusing Judge Merchan of being 'corrupt and dishonest', strongly calling for his disqualification; then he complained about experiencing unprecedented illegal treatment and directed his criticism at Democratic judges and prosecutors, calling them 'corrupt' for treating political opponents in an extremely unfair manner.
In this case, Trump's court appearance is undecided; he may appear in person or choose to connect remotely. This means that if the inauguration takes place as scheduled, Trump will 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 being found guilty.
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 movie actress, which became the catalyst for the case. On May 30, 2024, a New York City jury found 34 criminal charges against Trump to be valid. Subsequently, the trial date was postponed multiple times, from the initial July 11, to November 26, and then indefinitely delayed, until December 16, when Judge Juan Merchan clarified that the guilty verdict remained in effect.
Although Trump is almost certain to become the first president in U.S. history to be found guilty, there are still variables. Merchan stated that, considering the practical situation such as presidential immunity, unconditional release might be the most feasible option. This means that even if Trump is found guilty, he may not end up 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 ruling. However, if the appeal fails and cannot overturn the original verdict, he is very likely to take office with a criminal record. This incident not only impacts the U.S. judicial system but also adds more uncertainty to the direction of American politics, and the subsequent developments are worth continuous attention.