Internet divided as Trump argues for lighter punishment in hush money trial during probation interview

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: New York probation officials interrogated former President Donald Trump on Monday, June 10, in preparation for his July sentencing in the criminal hush money trial.

“Earlier today, President Trump completed a routine interview with [the] New York Probation Office,” an individual accustomed to the trial proceedings told the New York Post. “The interview was uneventful and lasted less than thirty minutes.”

“The President and his team will continue to fight the lawless Manhattan DA Witch Hunt, along with the other Crooked Joe Biden-directed Hoaxes,” the source claimed.

What's the reasoning behind conducting a pre-sentencing probation interview?

The 2024 presumptive Republican presidential nominee, Trump conducted a virtual interview from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, as reported by the Associated Press.

Although it is common practice in New York for people convicted of crimes to meet probation officials without their attorneys, one of Trump’s lawyers, Todd Blanche, was present for the interview.

Judge Juan Merchan permitted Blanche to attend the meeting, as stated in a letter on Friday.

The purpose of the pre-sentencing probation interview is to compile a report that provides the judge with a comprehensive understanding of the defendant.

This report aids in determining an appropriate punishment for the crime.

Additionally, presentence reports outline the defendant’s personal history and allow the defendant to justify why they believe they deserve a lesser punishment.

Legal experts have previously explained that if the 77-year-old MAGA figurehead is sentenced to community service as part of his felony conviction, he could be required to perform tasks such as picking up trash from the street or working in a food pantry.

Donald Trump was found guilty on all 34 counts of falsifying business records related to the hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels in the lead-up to the 2016 presidential election.

Despite his denial of any wrongdoing and assertion that the criminal case was initiated to undermine his chances of reclaiming the White House in 2024, he is scheduled to be sentenced on July 11 by Judge Merchan making him the first US President to be convicted of a crime.

On Sunday, June 9, the former POTUS’s campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung alleged President Joe Biden’s allies “continue to ramp up their ongoing Witch-Hunts, further abusing and misusing the power of their offices to interfere in the presidential election.”

“President Trump and his legal team are already taking necessary steps to challenge and defeat the lawless Manhattan DA case,” he stated.

Internet divided as Donald Trump interviewed by probation officials ahead of July sentencing in NY hush-money trial

One X user asked, "What do you bet the pre-sentencing report notes "lack of remorse" as an aggravating factor?"

Another user said, "Let’s see if he threatens or insults the probation officials."

Another user wrote, "I asked for a pardon, and it cost $$$$. the state of Texas governor Craig Abbott of course he denied it , I don’t understand people talking about how they’re gonna vote for Trump. I got a felony when I was 19 first offense for possession of a control substance never been in trouble before I got seven years in prison by the Republican judge because I was Hispanic I was not offered probation. after that I could never get a job I had to start my own business even after getting my associates degree in computer repair and networking, no one would hire me because I had a felony but yet y’all people wanna hire a president to run this country that has 34 felonies People got some lose screws. Let me tell you by the way I don’t like Biden either. Remember the 12 people on the jury were Republicans and Democrats. Nobody twisted their arms. They saw the truth. If they don’t give him  prison time. our system is screwed up or maybe like they say if  ur not white it’s not right.."

One user claimed, "Standard procedure for anyone in NY after trial. He's not going to jail, and he'll have unsupervised probation, if even that. He's going to win his appeal."

Another user remarked, "The Big Orange being juiced by The Rotten Apple at the behest of Our Reptilian Overlords as their Demented Puppet Tyrant grins from afar."

Finally, this user tweeted, "Karma is a bitch. This won't end well for democrats."

Another said, "It's a scam trial."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.