For six weeks, the former most powerful man in the world sat like an ordinary citizen in a drab courtroom, a criminal defendant being judged by a jury of his peers.
In proceedings both historic and tawdry, Donald Trump glowered, complained, bloviated, and snoozed through a trial to determine whether he falsified business records to cover up hush money paid to a porn star on the eve of the 2016 election. On May 30, the 12 jurors delivered their verdict: guilty on all 34 counts. To all his norm-shattering iterations-flashy businessman, name-brand showman, novice President-Trump has added a new title: felon.
The trial that led to the first-ever criminal conviction of a former U.S. President was often marked by its unseemliness. Witnesses recounted spankings, clandestine meetings, and payoffs, all intended to establish that Trump had conspired to hide information about his behavior that could have affected voters' choices. Now Trump once again threatens to upend the precepts of the U.S. political system and test the foundations of the country's rule of law. Trump has already vowed to appeal, a process that could take months or longer. As he runs against President Joe Biden this fall, voters will have to grapple with questions both political and constitutional.
Trump arrives at Trump Tower in New York City the day after the verdict
For now, the system has held: this was an orderly trial with a careful judge and a jury that rendered a verdict without falling prey to intimidation from a famous defendant who repeatedly violated his gag order. "It really is a demonstration of an evolved system of justice that applies to all people," says Harry Litman, a former U.S. attorney.
This story is from the June 24, 2024 edition of Time.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the June 24, 2024 edition of Time.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Q & A: Borge Brende
The World Economic Forum president talks with TIME editor Sam Jacobs
Q & A - Rene Haas
Arm's CEO on how his hardware is supporting the Fourth Industrial Revolution
The conflicts looming over 2025
WHEN DONALD TRUMP TOOK THE OATH OF OFFICE AS President in January 2017, his first foreign policy priority was to get tough on China. The Trump 2.0 Administration will continue that work. But when he strides back into the Oval Office in January 2025, Trump will also become responsible for U.S. management of two dangerous wars, the kinds of hot foreign policy crises he was fortunate to avoid during his first term.
Rev Lebaredian
Nvidia's vice president of Omniverse and simulation technology on training AI-powered robots
5 predictions for AI in 2025
New uses and policy questions come into focus
Roy Wood Jr. The comedian on his new stand-up special, the importance of working in food service, and learning from Keanu Reeves
8 QUESTIONS WITH Roy Wood Jr.
A call for global cooperation in the Intelligent Age
Cultivate wisdom along with innovation
The D.C. Brief
IN THE END, THE THREAT OF A FARright revolt proved more menacing than most imagined, as Republican Mike Johnson initially came up short on Jan. 3 during the first balloting to keep him as Speaker.
The digital labor revolution
OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS, WE'VE WITNESSED advances in AI that have captured our imaginations with unprecedented capabilities in language and ingenuity. And yet, as impressive as these developments have been, they're only the opening act. We are now entering a new era of autonomous AI agents that take action on their own and augment the work of humans. This isn't just an evolution of technology. It's a revolution that will fundamentally redefine how humans work, live, and connect with one another from this point forward.
Tech we can trust
Serving humanity's best interests must be at the center of progress