President-elect Trump was sentenced in his hush money conviction on Friday, but faced no punishment by a judge during a hearing in New York in which he appeared virtually with one of his defense attorneys.
Trump spoke briefly during the hearing, where he maintained his innocence and railed against a case he has long called a political “witch hunt.”
“The fact is, I’m totally innocent,” Trump said to the court while also calling the sentencing a “terrible experience.”
Judge Juan Merchan too addressed the court, saying that “extraordinary protections” are offered to presidents, but did not bar Trump’s sentencing.
“I impose that sentence for all 34 counts, and sir, I wish you godspeed as you pursue your second term in office,” the judge said, upon announcing the unconditional discharge.
While the hearing, which lasted roughly 40 minutes, was not televised, audio of the proceedings was distributed to media outlets.
Listen above to Trump’s sentencing hearing in his hush money conviction
