Sources report that Trump will be interviewed for probation in NY hush money case on Monday afternoon

Former President Donald Trump is expected to attend a presentencing interview on Monday afternoon ahead of his July 11 sentencing in his New York criminal case, according to sources familiar with the matter.

A probation officer is expected to conduct the interview – which Trump will attend remotely from his Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida – to prepare a report recommending the appropriate punishment for Judge Juan Merchan to impose at the former president’s sentencing next month.

Last month, a jury convicted Trump of falsifying business records as part of a scheme to hide information from voters ahead of the 2016 election, including a $130,000 money payment to buy the silence of adult film actress Stormy Daniels, who alleged she had an affair with him, which he has denied.

Although defendants typically attend their interview with probation officials without the presence of counsel, Judge Merchan signed an order last week permitting Trump’s defense lawyer, Todd Blanche, to attend the interview.

The interview will not be public, and the report prepared ahead of Trump’s sentence will likely remain under seal.

In the New York state courts, a probation officer, social worker, or psychologist usually interviews a defendant convicted of a crime to better access their personal and criminal history before preparing a presentence report for the judge overseeing the case. According to Pace University law professor Bennett Gershman, that report is particularly important in cases where a judge accepts a guilty plea or is unfamiliar with the defendant’s background and conduct.

“It’s a lengthy investigation that the probation services do for the judge, and it’s done to give the judge as much information as they can glean in terms of the defendant’s background,” Gershman told ABC News.

Depending on the nature of the crime, a probation officer could speak with the defendant’s family, the victim, or individuals involved in the investigation to prepare their report. The report normally covers a defendant’s personal history, finances, professional work, criminal record and background information about the crime.

The interview also presents the defendant an opportunity to present positive information about himself and make the case for a lighter sentence “if a person is able to garner the sympathy of the probation officer, and they write a report that is more … sympathetic or casts the defendant in a more positive light,” said Fordham Law professor Cheryl Bader.

However, Bader cautioned that the report is unlikely to serve a vital role in Trump’s case because the judge is already familiar with the alleged conduct and Trump’s overall character. The former president frequently targeted the judge throughout the trial — accusing him of being biased and conflicted — and was held in criminal contempt 10 times for violating the case’s limited gag order.

“The judge is very well acquainted with Donald Trump and the circumstances of this case, and so is probably going to be less influenced by details that are in the presentence report,” Bader said.

While the interview is unlikely to shed new details about Trump’s conduct or character, according to Gershman, it could work against Trump if he demonstrates contempt toward the probation officer.

“If Trump gave certain answers that showed a disrespect or a disregard for the system, the judge — the things he has been saying all along — the judge will certainly cite that,” Gershman said. “If Trump makes an apology, shows remorse … the judge would cite that.”

The report prepared by the probation officer — in addition to the sentencing submissions prepared by both sides — will be used by Merchan to consider what kind of sentence to impose on July 11.

Trump was convicted of 34 class-E felonies, the lowest level felonies in New York state that carry a maximum four-year sentence. Merchan could opt to impose prison time, probation, or conditional discharge, including conditions like community service or fines.

Former President Donald Trump is set to be interviewed for probation in the New York hush money case on Monday afternoon, according to sources familiar with the matter. This development comes as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged campaign finance violations related to payments made to two women who claimed to have had affairs with Trump.

The case centers around payments made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal in the lead-up to the 2016 presidential election. Prosecutors allege that the payments were made in order to silence the women and prevent them from going public with their stories, which could have potentially damaged Trump’s chances of winning the election.

Trump has denied any wrongdoing in the matter and has consistently maintained that the payments were not campaign-related. However, federal prosecutors in New York have been investigating the matter for several years and have reportedly been looking into whether the payments violated campaign finance laws.

The interview for probation is a significant development in the case, as it indicates that prosecutors may be considering charging Trump or his associates with criminal offenses. It is unclear what specific questions will be asked during the interview, but it is likely that prosecutors will be seeking information about Trump’s knowledge of the payments and his involvement in the decision-making process.

Trump’s legal team has not commented on the upcoming interview, but they have previously argued that the case is politically motivated and an attempt to undermine Trump’s presidency. They have also sought to delay or dismiss the case on procedural grounds, but so far those efforts have been unsuccessful.

The outcome of the probation interview could have significant implications for Trump and his political future. If prosecutors decide to move forward with charges, it could potentially lead to a trial and further legal battles for the former president. On the other hand, if Trump is able to successfully navigate the probation process, it could help to clear his name and put an end to the ongoing investigation.

Overall, the interview for probation in the New York hush money case is a critical moment in the legal saga surrounding Trump and his alleged involvement in the payments to Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal. As the investigation continues to unfold, all eyes will be on how this latest development plays out and what it could mean for Trump’s future.