Donald Trump has completed his mandatory presentencing interview in the wake of his criminal conviction in New York, according to reports.
The former president was scheduled to appear for a virtual interview with a New York City probation officer on Monday, according to his attorney, Todd Blanche. The meeting is part of the sentencing process for Trump’s conviction on 34 felony counts last month, as the former president was found guilty of falsifying business records in a 2016 hush money payment to adult-film star Stormy Daniels.
A person familiar with the matter told the Associated Press that Trump’s meeting lasted less than 30 minutes and involved “routine, uneventful questions and answers.” The source spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.
The Context
Trump sat for the virtual interview from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. Some legal experts raised questions about it being unusual for presentencing meetings to be held virtually but added that doing so could be easier on the court, given the additional security steps involved when meeting with a former president, Newsweek previously reported.
According to attorney Michael McAuliffe, presentencing meetings allow the defendant to establish a rapport with the probation officer who will write up a report to the presiding judge before a decision is rendered on the sentencing.
McAuliffee told Newsweek earlier in the day Monday, however, that Trump “simply may not care about the impression he makes with the officer or the court.”
What We Know
New York State Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan, who has presided over Trump’s hush money case, has scheduled the former president’s sentencing for July 11. In addition to the probation officer’s report, both sides in the case will also have a chance to submit their own paperwork to Merchan with recommendations for Trump’s punishment.
Each count against the former president is a Class E nonviolent felony, meaning Trump could be punished by a fine and up to five years in prison under New York state law. It is uncertain how harsh of a sentencing Merchan will impose, although legal experts have said it is unlikely Trump will be handed a prison sentence, given that he is a first-time offender and the safety issues involved with imprisoning a former president.
Trump has vowed to appeal his guilty verdict after sentencing and maintains his innocence of all crimes. He has also repeatedly accused prosecutors of attempting to hurt his chances of reelection in November by bringing the hush money indictment and other legal challenges against him.
Views
A handful of observers online complained ahead of Trump’s meeting that the former president appeared to be receiving “special treatment” as a convicted felon by being allowed to conduct the interview online. Trump was also permitted to have his lawyer present during the meeting, which is not typical practice.
A group of four public defenders for Manhattan criticized the setup for Trump’s probation meeting in a statement Monday, writing that the state’s probation department needed to “ensure that all New Yorkers, regardless of income, status, or class, receive the same pre-sentencing opportunities.”
“All people convicted of crimes should be allowed counsel in their probation interview, not just billionaires,” read the statement, according to AP. “This is just another example of our two-tiered system of justice.”
Newsweek emailed Trump’s press team late Monday night for additional information regarding his probation meeting.
What’s Next
Trump’s defense team is scheduled to submit its recommendations for the former president’s sentence by Thursday. His July 11 sentencing comes just four days before the Republican National Convention will meet to select is presidential candidate for November. Trump is the presumptive GOP nominee.
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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