Judge Juan Merchan spoke to President-elect Donald Trump for several minutes as he imposed a sentence of unconditional discharge without any punishment in the New York hush money case. Merchan cited the protections of ‘office of the presidency’ as he explained his ruling.

Merchan allowed media organizations to record the audio from inside the courtroom as he sentenced President-elect Donald Trump on Friday to an “unconditional discharge”.

The criminal case brought against Trump by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg began trial proceedings last April. After juggling courtroom visits in multiple legal cases with campaign rallies, Trump was found guilty on all 34 counts against him by a New York jury on May 30, 2024.

In roughly six minutes of remarks to the court, a calm but insistent Trump called the case “a weaponization of government” and “an embarrassment to New York.”