The conviction of Donald Trump on all 34 charges of falsifying business records marks an unprecedented moment in American history. Not only is Trump the first former president to be convicted of a felony, but he also becomes the first major-party presidential nominee to be convicted of a crime during a campaign for the White House. If he were to win the presidency again, he would be the first sitting president in history to be a convicted felon.

The verdict, delivered by a Manhattan jury after nearly 12 hours of deliberation, stems from charges related to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels to silence her about an alleged affair with Trump before the 2016 election. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, a Democrat, brought the charges against Trump, making him the first former president to face indictment.

Throughout the trial, which lasted seven weeks, prosecutors presented evidence showing that the hush money payment was part of a pattern of payoffs to suppress negative stories about Trump before the election. Michael Cohen, Trump's former lawyer, testified as a key witness, detailing how Trump directed him to make the payment to Daniels and then approved a scheme to repay Cohen in installments.

In response to the verdict, Trump denounced the trial as rigged and vowed to continue fighting. He criticized the presiding judge and the prosecutor, asserting his innocence and claiming that the real verdict would come from the people in the November election.

Bragg, in a news conference following the verdict, acknowledged the historic nature of the case and emphasized that the jury arrived at its decision based on evidence and the law. He characterized Trump as a defendant unlike any other in American history but stressed that the verdict was reached in the same manner as any other case.

Trump's sentencing is scheduled for July 11, 2024, just days before the start of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. His attorney indicated plans to vigorously fight in post-trial motions and, if necessary, appeal following sentencing.

The verdict has immediate political ramifications, with both Trump's campaign and President Joe Biden's campaign responding swiftly. Biden emphasized the importance of defeating Trump at the ballot box, framing the 2024 election as a crucial moment for democracy. Trump's allies denounced the case as a political witch hunt, echoing his claims of innocence.

The outcome of Trump's conviction will undoubtedly shape the political landscape leading up to the November election and could have far-reaching implications for American democracy.