Trump was sentenced to to unconditional discharge Friday morning
'Did you see Kamala?!': Hosts react to Trump and Obama's friendly chat
'Fox & Friends' co-hosts weigh in after former President Obama and President-elect Trump were seen engaging in a friendly conversation at Jimmy Carter's funeral.
Republicans slammed the sentencing of President-elect Trump on Friday, calling it a "disgrace."
Trump was sentenced Friday morning in New York City to unconditional discharge. He was convicted last year of falsifying business records after a years-long investigation by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.
LAKEN RILEY ACT OVERCOMES FILIBUSTER IN SENATE AS DEMS GIVE GOP HELPING HAND
Trump in court (Fox News)
Despite Trump's attempts to delay the sentencing, it went forward just 10 days before his inauguration.
The incoming president attended the proceeding virtually. "After careful analysis, this court determined only lawful sentence that permits entry of judgment of conviction is an unconditional discharge," Judge Juan Merchan said. "At this time, I impose that sentence to cover all 34 counts."
NEW GOP SENATOR TEARS INTO DEMS 'SEEKING TO DELAY' PETE HEGSETH DOD CONFIRMATION
Bragg investigated Trump for years. (Julia Bonavita/Fox News Digital)
"What a joke and a disgrace," wrote Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., on X.
Unconditional discharge, as Merchan sentenced Trump to, does not impose a punishment on the convicted individual. It does maintain that the conviction stands. However, it means that any relevant penalties won't be imposed.
While Trump won't face these penalties due to the sentence, he could still run into obstacles due to his felon status as long as the conviction is upheld.
TRUMP DETAILS STRATEGY TO GET NECESSARY VOTES WITH ONE-BILL APPROACH TO BORDER, TAXES
Blackburn criticized the case against Trump, calling it a ‘joke.’ (Shannon Finney/Getty Images for RIAA)
"This witch hunt and ruling was an insult to the American people," Blackburn added.
Rep. Rudy Yakym, R-Ind., sounded off on the sentencing as well, writing, "Today’s sentencing is an unfortunate reminder that Democrats will stop at nothing, including weaponizing the justice system to try and destroy President Trump. Rest assured, their efforts have and will continue to fail. America’s comeback begins in 10 days."
SENATE DEMS TO JOIN REPUBLICANS TO ADVANCE ANTI-ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION BILL NAMED AFTER LAKEN RILEY
Protesters stand outside of a Manhattan courthouse as President-elect Donald Trump awaits sentencing in his so-called hush money trial, Friday, January 10, 2025. (Rashid Umar Abbasi for Fox News Digital)
"Today’s sentencing of President Trump confirms what the American people have known all along: these trials have been pure political persecution. The American people overwhelmingly rejected the weaponized judiciary and politicized lawfare. This ends January 20th," said Rep. Jason Smith, R-Mo., on X.
Mullin is a key ally of Trump's in the Senate. (Markwayne Mullin for Senate )
Top Trump ally Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., responded to the news, saying, "Finally, this baseless NYC liberal activist charade is over. It’s worth a reminder: President Trump doesn’t have to do this job—he’s doing it to save America. We’re looking forward. 10 days."
Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., slammed the conviction and sentence as "a pathetic waste of taxpayer resources that should be used on the real crimes harming New Yorkers."
Julia Johnson is a politics writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business, leading coverage of the U.S. Senate. She was previously a politics reporter at the Washington Examiner.
Follow Julia's reporting on X at @JuliaaJohnson_ and send tips to
