Judge Juan Merchan has signaled his intention to sentence Trump to an " unconditional discharge " -- allowing Trump to avoid prison, fines or probation -- out of respect for the principle of presidential immunity, which takes effect on Jan. 20 once Trump becomes president.

The charges related to payments Trump’s company made to a lawyer, Michael Cohen, to reimburse him for paying off porn actor Stormy Daniels during Trump’s 2016 Republican presidential campaign.

On Friday, a New York judge imposed a sentence that ensures Donald Trump will be the first convicted felon to enter the White House when he is sworn in as president on Jan. 20. It was a brief and relatively calm final encounter of Trump's relationship with Justice Juan Merchan over 21 months and featured accusations of political bias from the former and stern dressings-down from the latter.

Judge Juan Merchan imposed an "unconditional discharge” that means Trump receives no prison time or probation. Trump continues to appeal conviction.

President-elect Donald Trump maintained on Jan. 10 his contention that the election-year case which resulted in 34 felony charges was politically motivated and without merit.

Donald Trump was not punished for his criminal conviction in the Manhattan hush money case, bringing a lackluster end to the legal saga that will make him the country’s first felon-turned-president. At a sentencing hearing on Friday,

Supporters and protesters share thoughts on Donald Trump's sentencing outside the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse in New York City on Jan. 10, 2025.