(NEXSTAR) – Donald Trump became first former American president to be found guilty of felony crimes in the nation’s history on Thursday. A jury in New York convicted him on all 34 counts of falsifying business records.
After 9.5 hours of deliberations, the jury determined Trump had falsified business records to cover up hush money payments to Stormy Daniels, the porn actor who said she had sex with Trump in 2006.
While the crimes each carry with them the potential of prison time, it’s not yet clear what sort of punishment the former president will face. A sentencing hearing has been set for July 11. Trump’s legal team is also expected to appeal the decision.
After the verdict was read, Trump called the trial “rigged” and “disgraceful.”
“The real verdict is going to be Nov. 5 by the people,” he said, referring to Election Day.
The guilty verdict does not prevent Trump from continuing his bid for the presidency this November. However, if he were to win, and take office next year, he would not be able to purge the conviction from his record.
Presidents can grant pardons for federal crimes, but not for state crimes such as this one, under the U.S. Constitution. Other presidents, for that matter, also would not have the power to pardon Trump for these crimes.
Trump is facing three other felony indictments, and some of those pending cases do involve federal crimes.
But those indictments are not as likely to be resolved before the November election. All three criminal proceedings — local and federal charges in Atlanta and Washington that he conspired to undo the 2020 election, as well as a federal indictment in Florida charging him with illegally hoarding top-secret records — are bogged down by pending rulings or other delays.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
