Reports: Trump Probation Meeting Scheduled
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Facts
- Former Pres. Donald Trump on Monday was reportedly scheduled to have a virtual interview from his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida with the New York City Probation Department for the first time since he was found guilty of falsifying documents on May 30.1
- Trump became the first US president ever convicted of a felony for what prosecutors categorized as hush money payments made through his then-lawyer, Michael Cohen, to adult film actress Stormy Daniels to cover up an alleged affair during the 2016 presidential campaign.1
- Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has not yet revealed whether his office will seek jail time. However, this meeting will allow a probation officer to formulate a report that includes information about Trump's criminal activity and his personal history, in addition to a recommendation for sentencing.2
- Trump has been granted special dispensations, including being allowed to participate in the meeting remotely and being permitted to have his lawyer present.3
- Sentencing is scheduled for July 11. Trump's legal team plans to urge the judge to not send Trump to jail, which would be a rare punishment for a first-time offender convicted on such charges.4
Sources: 1New York Times, 2CBS, 3BBC News and 4The Hill.
Narratives
- Pro-Trump narrative, as provided by Daily Caller. It would be cruel and unfair to send an elderly man who's convicted of a white-collar crime to prison, but it won't be surprising if the district attorney seeks and receives jail time. After all, Bragg pressed this politically motivated case, and he will be under political pressure to seek the most severe punishment as part of this multi-pronged witch hunt the Democrats are conducting against Trump.
- Anti-Trump narrative, as provided by NBC. Trump has been unrepentant and has threatened the judge, yet the New York court is allowing him to conduct this interview remotely alongside his lawyer. Trump is being treated more fairly than most convicted felons, and whatever sentence he gets will be appropriate for his crimes — without political considerations.