Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said the “only voice that matters is the voice of the jury” after former President Donald Trump was found guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records in a historic trial.
“While this defendant may be unlike any other in American history, we arrived at this trial, and ultimately today at this verdict, in the same manner as every other case that comes through the courtroom doors — by following the facts and the law, and doing so without fear or favor,” Bragg, whose office prosecuted the case, told reporters Thursday.
“I did my job,” he added. “Our job is to follow the facts and the law without fear or favor. And that’s exactly what we did.”
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg holds a press briefing following former President Donald Trump’s conviction in the hush money trial, May 30, 2024.
ABC News
A jury found Trump guilty on all 34 felony counts related to a 2016 hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. It marks the first time in history that a former U.S. president has been convicted on criminal charges.
Bragg said this type of white-collar prosecution “is core to what we do at the Manhattan District Attorney’s office.”
Bragg also thanked the jury for their service and the “careful attention” they paid to the evidence and the law over the past several weeks.
“The only voice that matters is the voice of the jury,” he said.
Moments after the jury reached their verdict, Trump claimed, without evidence, that the trial was “rigged”.
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“This was a disgrace,” Trump told reporters while speaking outside the courthouse Thursday. “This was a rigged trial by a conflicted judge who was corrupt. It’s a rigged trial, a disgrace.”
Former President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump exits the courtroom after he was convicted in his criminal trial at Manhattan Criminal Court in New York, May 30, 2024.
Justin Lane/Pool/AFP via Getty Images
Trump referenced the upcoming presidential election in November, calling that the “real verdict.”
“The real verdict is going to be Nov. 5, by the people. And they know what happened here, and everybody knows what happened here,” he said.
Trump had pleaded not guilty to the 34-count indictment charging him with falsifying business records in connection with a hush money payment his then-attorney Michael Cohen made to Daniels in order to boost his electoral prospects in the 2016 presidential election following the release of the Access Hollywood tape.
Sentencing has been set for July 11.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has recently emphasized the importance of the jury’s decision following the conviction of former President Donald Trump. The high-profile trial, which saw Trump found guilty on charges of fraud and corruption, has sparked widespread debate and speculation about the potential consequences for the former president.
Bragg, who led the prosecution team in the case against Trump, has stressed the significance of the jury’s decision in holding powerful individuals accountable for their actions. In a statement following the verdict, Bragg stated, “No one is above the law, no matter how powerful or influential they may be. The jury’s decision sends a clear message that justice will be served, regardless of one’s status or position.”
The trial of Donald Trump has been closely watched by the public and legal experts alike, with many viewing it as a test of the American justice system’s ability to hold powerful individuals accountable. The case against Trump centered on allegations that he had used his position as president to enrich himself and his family, violating numerous laws and ethical standards in the process.
Throughout the trial, Bragg and his team presented a compelling case against Trump, highlighting evidence of financial misconduct and abuse of power. The jury deliberated for several days before reaching a unanimous verdict of guilty on all counts, a decision that has been hailed as a victory for justice and accountability.
In the aftermath of the trial, Bragg has called on the public to respect the jury’s decision and to trust in the integrity of the legal system. He emphasized that the verdict was reached through a fair and impartial process, and that it is now up to the courts to determine an appropriate sentence for Trump.
The conviction of Donald Trump marks a significant moment in American legal history, demonstrating that even the most powerful individuals are not above the law. As Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg has emphasized, the jury’s decision in this case is a crucial step towards upholding the principles of justice and accountability in our society.
