New York, USA – Former President Donald Trump is making preparations for his upcoming sentencing in July for his involvement in a hush-money case. He is scheduled to participate in a virtual interview with New York probation officials on Monday, a necessary step before the sentencing. The interview will be conducted via video call from his residence at the Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida.
Typically, individuals convicted of crimes in New York meet with probation officials without their legal representation. However, in Trump’s case, his lawyer Todd Blanche has been granted permission by Judge Juan Merchan to be present during the interview. The purpose of this pre-sentencing probation interview is to provide the judge with additional insights into the defendant, aiding in determining an appropriate punishment.
The conviction stems from Trump’s involvement in a scheme to silence individuals who could potentially reveal damaging information about him during the 2016 presidential campaign. One of the payments, totaling $130,000, was made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. Despite the conviction, Trump maintains his innocence and alleges that the case was politically motivated to hinder his chances of returning to the White House.
Following his conviction, a survey of nearly 2,000 voters indicated a narrowing gap between Trump and his Democratic rival Joe Biden. Trump’s campaign spokesperson has criticized the ongoing legal actions against the former president as part of a targeted effort to disrupt his political aspirations.
Judge Merchan has set July 11 as the date for Trump’s sentencing, where a range of penalties, including probation, community service, or a prison sentence of up to four years, could be imposed. Trump, who is currently appealing the conviction, has issued warnings at recent public events concerning the future of the country’s judicial system.
In light of his conviction, reports suggest that the New York Police Department is considering revoking Trump’s license to carry a firearm. An anonymous official from the department mentioned that an investigation is underway, likely leading to the revocation of the license. Trump’s legal team is gearing up to challenge the charges brought against him as they navigate the complexities of the legal proceedings.