Legal experts and commentators have sharply criticized the sentencing of former President Donald Trump in the New York v. Trump case, calling it a politically motivated attack and a gross miscarriage of justice. The sentencing, which resulted in an unconditional discharge, took place just days before Trump's second presidential inauguration.
Fox News host Mark Levin denounced the case as "an absolute injustice from the beginning," predicting it will be remembered as one of the worst legal proceedings in history. Leo Terrell, a civil rights attorney and incoming senior counsel at the Department of Justice, echoed this sentiment, stating that the case was a blatant attempt to "stain President Trump" and prevent his return to the presidency.
Terrell expressed his eagerness to investigate the case and others like it at the DOJ, aiming to expose what he called the "misuse and abuse" of the legal system for political purposes. He vowed to uncover documents and communications related to the Trump cases to bring the truth to light.
Judge Juan Merchan, who presided over the case, maintained that Trump's case was handled like any other criminal case. However, critics like Fox News contributor Trey Gowdy argued that if this were true, it would indicate serious flaws in the New York legal system. Jonathan Turley, a legal scholar, compared Merchan's claim to a scene from Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein," suggesting the case was artificially constructed.
Trump himself addressed the court, calling the case an "embarrassment" to New York and emphasizing his re-election victory as a testament to public support. Fox News legal editor Kerri Urbahn noted the presence of Trump supporters outside the courtroom, demonstrating continued backing for the former president.
Despite multiple attempts by Trump's legal team to delay or block the sentencing, including appeals to the Supreme Court, the proceedings went forward. Trump has pledged to appeal the conviction, arguing that the case infringed on his presidential duties. He continues to maintain his innocence and denounce the case as politically motivated "lawfare."
