Donald Trump became the first former president to be convicted of felony crimes Thursday as a New York jury found him guilty of falsifying business records in a scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election through hush money payments to a porn actor who said the two had sex.
It was very quiet in the courtroom and an overflow room right before the verdict was read.
Due to the anonymous jury, monitors in the overflow room were off while the verdict was read, so members of the media and members of the public who were there to observe could not see Trump’s face as the first “guilty” was read aloud.
A court officer had warned the overflow crowd not to make any outbursts, but a hushed gasp could be heard in the room. The video feed resumed after the last charge was read aloud, showing Trump sitting with an expressionless stare as history was made.
A group of around 100 Trump supporters who have gathered daily near the courthouse to watch his motorcade pass murmured in disbelief as news of the verdict appeared on their phones. A few shouted in anger.
At a park across the street where small groups of people have been gathering daily to protest, Trump’s opponents let out cheers.
The cheering from the street could be heard all the way up on the 15th floor of the courthouse, in the hallway, as the decision was being read.
Trump will remain released on his own recognizance, Judge Merchan said.