Donald Trump becomes first former US president to be convicted of a crime
Donald Trump is found guilty of 34 felonies in New York. What comes next? And what does the historic verdict mean for the former president? A police officer was killed during a deadly ambush in Minnesota. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Friday, May 31, 2024.
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Donald Trump found guilty on 34 felony counts in NY criminal trial
As reported by our Political Correspondent Ray Bogan:
Former President Donald Trump has been convicted of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in the first degree, marking him as the first former U.S. president to be tried and convicted of a crime. The jury, which deliberated for about 10 hours, found that Trump falsified business records to conceal another crime related to a $130,000 payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels, intended to influence an election.
However, Trump was not tried on the campaign finance violation itself.
The case against Trump relied heavily on testimony from his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, who admitted to lying to Congress in 2018 and stealing from the Trump organization. The defense attempted to undermine Cohen’s credibility by labeling him the “GLOAT,” or the greatest liar of all time.
Trump is expected to appeal the verdict. He also faces ongoing legal challenges including the classified documents case, the Georgia election case, and special counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into attempts to overturn the 2020 election results.
Trump is scheduled to be sentenced on July 11.
Donald Trump, Manhattan D.A. speak after verdict
The verdict was delivered unexpectedly late Thursday, May 30, just after Judge Juan Merchan had informed the defense and prosecution at approximately 4:15 p.m. that deliberations would continue into a third day.
However, at 4:36 p.m., the judge announced that the jury had reached its decision, cautioning those in the courtroom against any outbursts.
Trump responded to the verdict while speaking to reporters outside the courthouse.
“This was a disgrace,” Trump said. “This was a rigged trial by a conflicted judge who was corrupt as a rigged trial, a disgrace. They wouldn’t give us a venue change. We were at 5% or 6% in this district, in this area. This was a rigged, disgraceful trial. The real verdict is going to be Nov. 5 by the people. And they know what happened here. And everybody knows what happened here.”
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg — whose office prosecuted the case — later spoke to the media, emphasizing his commitment to following the facts and the law. Bragg stated, “The only voice that matters is the voice of the jury. And the jury has spoken.”
The reaction to the verdict has been polarized. President Joe Biden’s campaign remarked that voting in November is the only way to ensure Trump does not return to office, while the White House expressed its respect for the rule of law. Conversely, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., labeled the guilty verdict “a shameful day in American history.”
What to expect following guilty verdict in Trump criminal trial
As stated above, sentencing is scheduled for July 11. However, Trump is likely to appeal the conviction, as he has asserted that the charges were politically motivated and legally flawed.
Trump was convicted of falsifying business records and a Class E felony in New York — the lowest tier of felony in the state which could result in up to four years in prison for each count. However, it is uncommon for someone with no prior criminal history to receive a prison sentence for this type of crime.
The judge may opt for alternative punishments such as a fine, probation, or house arrest. The Manhattan District Attorney has not indicated whether his office will seek prison time.
The judge might also allow Trump to avoid any punishment until after the appeal process is complete.
As for the upcoming November election, Trump is still eligible to run for president. Legal experts note that there is nothing in the U.S. Constitution that prevents someone convicted of a crime from running for the presidency.
Minneapolis shooting claims life of police officer and two others
Three individuals, including Minneapolis police officer Jamal Mitchell, were killed in a shooting Thursday, May 30, in the Whittier neighborhood of southern Minneapolis. As officers responded to the scene, they were immediately met with gunfire, according to the Minneapolis Police Department.
During the incident, a suspect ambushed Officer Mitchell while he was providing medical aid to two injured men two blocks from the original scene. One of the men succumbed to his injuries at the scene, while the other sustained serious injuries.
“When officers arrived, they received gunfire immediately and they exchanged gunfire,” Assistant Police Chief Katie Blackwell of the Minneapolis Police Department said. “Two officers were injured and they were immediately brought to HCMC. Officer Jamal Mitchell died at the hospital despite all life-saving measures by Hennepin Healthcare. The second officer received non-life-threatening injuries. The suspect on scene was injured, and even though he was injured in that gunfire, officers still rendered first aid and he was pronounced deceased at the scene.”
Mitchell had previously been recognized for his heroism after rescuing an elderly couple from a fire early in his career, earning high praise for his bravery and character. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is currently investigating the shooting.
De Niro’s award revoked after anti-Trump speech
Oscar-winning actor Robert De Niro was set to receive the National Association of Broadcasters Leadership Foundation’s Service to America Award on Tuesday, June 4. However, the organization has rescinded the award following De Niro’s appearance this week at a Biden campaign event outside the courthouse where former President Trump was on trial.
During his appearance, De Niro made heated remarks, including a claim that Trump could “destroy the whole world” if elected again. The NAB stated that De Niro’s comments “create a distraction” from the organization’s bipartisan philanthropic work.
National Spelling Bee comes to exciting end with tiebreaker
The finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee turned intense on Thursday, May 30.
Seventh-grader Bruhat Soma clinched the win and a $50,000 prize by correctly spelling 29 words in 90 seconds during a lightning round tie-breaker. It was nine more correct words than his competitor.
The 12-year-old is the second consecutive champion from the Tampa Bay area.
Tags: Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Trump Organization, New York, New York City, Stormy Daniels, Michael Cohen, Alvin Bragg, 2024 Elections, Trump investigations, Police officers, Broadcast, Minnesota, shooting, Police, Police violence
[KARAH RUCKER]
DONALD TRUMP IS FOUND GUILTY OF 34 FELONIES IN NEW YORK. WHAT COMES NEXT? AND WHAT DOES THE HISTORIC VERDICT MEAN FOR THE FORMER PRESIDENT?
AND — A POLICE OFFICER IS KILLED DURING A DEADLY AMBUSH IN MINNESOTA
THE MORNING RUNDOWN STARTS NOW.
TODAY IS FRIDAY, MAY 31ST.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.
I’M KARAH RUCKER.
ON THURSDAY — DONALD TRUMP BECAME THE FIRST FORMER U.S. PRESIDENT TO BE CONVICTED OF A CRIME.
A 12-PERSON JURY FOUND THE PRESUMPTIVE REPUBLICAN NOMINEE GUILTY ON ALL 34 FELONY COUNTS IN HIS CRIMINAL TRIAL IN NEW YORK.
OUR RAY BOGAN HAS MORE ON THe HISTORIC VERDICT.
THE VERDICT IN DONALD TRUMP’S CRIMINAL TRIAL CAME DOWN JUST AFTER JUDGE JUAN MERCHAN HAD LET THE DEFENSE AND PROSECUTION KNOW AROUND 4:15 P.M. THAT HE WAS PLANNING TO SEND THE JURY home – AS DELIBERATIONS WERE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE INTO A THIRD DAY.
BUT THAT ALL CHANGED – AT 4:36 P.M. – WHEN THE JUDGE RETURNED TO THE COURTROOM – ANNOUNCING THE JURY HAD REACHED ITS VERDICT.
THE JUDGE WARNING THOSE IN ATTENDANCE TO NOT MAKE ANY “OUTBURSTS OF ANY KIND.”
THE VOCAL REACTIONS HOWEVER CAME – NOT FROM ANYONE INSIDE THE COURTROOM — BUT FROM A GROUP OF AROUND 100 TRUMP SUPPORTERS OUTSIDE THE COURTHOUSE – AS WELL as OPPONENTS OF THE FORMER PRESIDENT GATHERED ACROSS THE STREET.
MINUTES LATER – THE FORMER PRESIDENT SPOKE TO REPORTERS ABOUT THE VERDICT – TURNING his ATTENTION TO THE UPCOMING PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.
This was a disgrace. This was a rigged trial by a conflicted judge who was corrupt as a rigged trial, a disgrace. They wouldn’t give us a venue change. We were at 5% or 6% in this district, in this area. This was a rigged, disgraceful trial. The real verdict is going to be November 5th by the people. And they know what happened here. And everybody knows what happened here.”
TRUMP THEN LEFT THE AREA IN HIS MOTORCADE AS IT DROVE PAST THE WAITING CROWDS OUTSIDE.
SOON AFTER — MANHATTAN DISTRICT ATTORNEY ALVIN BRAGG – WHOSE OFFICE PROSECUTED THE CASE AGAINST TRUMP — TOOK QUESTIONS FROM REPORTERS.
ALVIN BRAGG | MANHATTAN DISTRICT ATTORNEY
“I did my job. Our job is to follow the facts and the law without fear or favor. And that’s exactly what we did here. And what I feel is gratitude to work alongside phenomenal public servants who do that each and every day in matters that you all write about, and make the press and in lots of matters that you don’t. I did my job. We did our job. Many voices out there. The only voice that matters is the voice of the jury. And the jury has spoken.”
REACTION HAS BEEN SWIFT FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE – PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN’S CAMPAIGN SAYING VOTERS GOING TO THE BALLOT BOX IN NOVEMBER IS THE ONLY WAY TO KEEP TRUMP OUT OF OFFICE —
WHILE THE WHITE HOUSE ISSUING A BRIEF STATEMENT – SAYING “WE RESPECT THE RULE OF LAW.”
MEANWHILE HOUSE SPEAKER MIKE JOHNSON CALLED THE GUILTY VERDICT QUOTE “A SHAMEFUL DAY IN AMERICAN HISTORY.”
FOLLOWING THE GUILTY VERDICT IN DONALD TRUMP’S CRIMINAL TRIAL IN NEW YORK – THE QUESTION NOW IS WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
SENTENCING IS CURRENTLY SET FOR JULY 11TH —
HOWEVER TRUMP IS LIKELY TO APPEAL THE CONVICTION – which he will have 30 days from his sentencing date to do so.
AS FOR THE SENTENCE ITSELF — TRUMP HAS BEEN FOUND GUILTY OF FALSIFYING BUSINESS RECORDS — A CLASS E FELONY IN NEW YORK – WHICH IS THE LOWEST TIER OF FELONY IN THE STATE.
A CRIME THAT COULD RESULT IN FOUR YEARS IN PRISON for each count – THOUGH IT IS RARE FOR SOMEONE WITH NO CRIMINAL HISTORY TO BE SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR THIS TYPE OF CRIME.
THE JUDGE COULD INSTEAD CHOOSE OTHER PUNISHMENTS INCLUDING A FINE, PROBATION OR HOUSE ARREST.
THE MANHATTAN DISTRICT ATTORNEY HAS NOT SAID IF HIS OFFICE WILL SEEK PRISON TIME.
THE JUDGE COULD ALLOW TRUMP TO NOT SERVE ANY PUNISHMENT UNTIL AFTER THE APPEAL PROCESS PLAYS OUT.
AND WHEN IT COMES TO NOVEMBER’S ELECTION – TRUMP **CAN STILL RUN FOR PRESIDENT.
LEGAL EXPERTS ARE IN AGREEMENT THAT THERE IS NOTHING IN THE U.S. CONSTITUTION THAT BARS SOMEONE CONVICTED OF A CRIME FROM RUNNING FOR THE PRESIDENCY.
YOU CAN GET ALERTED TO OUR LATEST STORIES ON THE VERDICT BY DOWNLOADING THE STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS APP AND ENABLING NOTIFICATIONS.
A MINNEAPOLIS POLICE OFFICER IS AMONG THREE PEOPLE KILLED IN A SHOOTING THURSDAY.
OFFICERS INITIALLY RESPONDED TO REPORTS OF A SHOOTING INSIDE AN APARTMENT building in the city.
ONCE ON THE SCENE — THEY IMMEDIATELY ENCOUNTERED GUNFIRE WITH POLICE FIRING BACK.
THE MINNEAPOLIS POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORTS 28-YEAR-OLD OFFICER JAMAL (JA–MAHL) MITCHELL WAS THEN AMBUSHED AS HE WAS PROVIDING AID TO THOSE INJURED — ONE OF THOSE BEING THE GUNMAN WHO SHOT AND KILLED THE OFFICER.
ASSISTANT POLICE CHIEF KATIE BLACKWELL DESCRIBED the incident in a press conference.
ASSISTANT POLICE CHIEF KATIE BLACKWELL
MINNEAPOLIS POLICE DEPARTMENT
“When officers arrived, they received gunfire immediately and they exchanged gunfire. Two officers were injured and they were immediately brought to HCMC. Officer Jamal Mitchell died at the hospital despite all life saving measures by Hennepin Healthcare. The second officer received non-life threatening injuries. The suspect on scene was injured, and even though he’s injured in that gunfire, officers still rendered first aid and he was pronounced deceased at the scene”
THE SHOOTING REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION.
OSCAR-WINNING ACTOR ROBERT DENIRO IS LOSING OUT ON GETTING ANOTHER AWARD — AFTER AN APPEARANCE THIS WEEK ON BEHALF OF THE BIDEN CAMPAIGN OUTSIDE THE COURTHOUSE WHERE FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP WAS ON TRIAL.
DE NIRO WAS SET TO RECEIVE THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BROADCASTERS LEADERSHIP FOUNDATION’S “SERVICE TO AMERICA” AWARD NEXT TUESDAY… BUT THE ORGANIZATION RESCINDED THE HONOR IN THE WAKE OF DE NIRO’S HEATED REMARKS.
AT ONE POINT, THE ACTOR CLAIMED FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP COULD “DESTROY THE WHOLE WORLD” IF ELECTED AGAIN.
THE N-A-B SAID DE NIRO’S COMMENTS CREATE “A DISTRACTION” FROM THE ORGANIZATION’S BIPARTISAN PHILANTHROPIC (philan–thoppic) WORK.
FINALLY THIS MORNING — YOU MAY NOT THINK A SPELLING BEE COULD TURN INTO A HEART-RACING COMPETITION … BUT LAST NIGHT’S FINALS OF THE SCRIPPS NATIONAL SPELLING BEE SHOWED THINGS COULD GET I-N-T-E-N-S-E. INTENSE.
“Your first word is… Brouette”
“B-r-o-u-e-t-t-e”
“Adelantado”
“A-d-e-l-a-n-t-a-d-o”
“Hyporcheme”
“H-y-p-o-r-c-h-e-m-e.”
*ding*
7-TH GRADER BRUHAT SOMA (BREW-hot SO-muh) CLINCHED THE WIN — AND TOOK HOME THE 50-THOUSAND DOLLAR PRIZE BY SPELLING 29 WORDS CORRECTLY IN 90 SECONDS DURING A LIGHTNING ROUND TIE-BREAKER.
THAT WAS NINE MORE CORRECT WORDS THAN THE OTHER COMPETITOR.
THE 12-YEAR-OLD IS THE SECOND STRAIGHT CHAMPION FROM THE TAMPA BAY AREA.
THESE ARE YOUR TOP STORIES FOR THIS FRIDAY.
WE’LL SEE YOU BACK HERE ON MONDAY.
UNTIL THEN I’M KARAH RUCKER. HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!
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