President-elect Donald Trump has been sentenced to an unconditional discharge Friday in his hush-money case, just 10 days before his inauguration for a second term.
The decision spares Trump from prison, fines, or probation but solidifies his status as a convicted felon-a label that will undoubtedly add to the complexities of his presidency.
During the brief virtual hearing, New York prosecutors accused Trump of orchestrating a "direct attack on the rule of law" by undermining the judicial process through relentless attacks on the judge and others connected to the case.
Trump's defence team, fiercely critical of the ruling, called it a "sad day for this country" and vowed to appeal the decision.