Breaking: Trump Verdict Announced

A New York City jury of 12 found Donald Trump guilty on all 34 counts in the “hush money” case Thursday evening after just two days of deliberation.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg charged the ex-president with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, connected to a payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels via his then-personal attorney Michael Cohen prior to the 2016 presidential election.

Judge Juan Merchan received notification from the jury that they had reached a verdict shortly after 4:30 p.m. ET.

During their deliberations, the jury requested the testimonies of publishing executive David Pecker and Cohen be read back to them.

Additionally, the jurors asked the judge to reread portions of their instructions on Thursday.

Trump’s legal team is expected to promptly appeal the verdict, arguing several issues with Merchan’s rulings that they claim biased the trial unfairly.

One contested ruling was the exclusion of testimony from former Federal Election Commission Chairman Bradley Smith, who would have argued that the payments to Daniels did not count as campaign expenses or donations.

Another focal point for legal experts was Merchan’s direction to the jury, stating they did not need to agree on the specific crime Trump committed regarding the alleged falsification of business records.

Trump has persistently declared his innocence.

Following the verdict, Trump told reporters, “This was a disgrace. This was a rigged trial by a conflicted judge who was corrupt.”

He further remarked, “The real verdict is going to be November 5th by the people.”

Trump assured, “It’s okay. I’m fighting for our country. I’m fighting for our Constitution. This is long from over.”