Donald Trump becomes the first former US president to be convicted of a crime after a New York jury found him guilty of all counts in his hush-money case.
The jury found him guilty of all 34 charges of manipulating company documents to conceal a payment intended to hush porn star Stormy Daniels. He may face up to four years in prison for each offense, although he is more likely to receive probation.
The 77-year-old Republican, who was freed without bond, is now a felon, a historic and surprising first in a country where presidents are sometimes referred to as the most powerful man on the planet.
Trump, on the other hand, is free to continue his campaign to defeat President Joe Biden in November, even if he ends up in prison.
Todd Blanche, his lawyer, stated that his team was planning an appeal "as soon as we can."
Trump, for his part, responded immediately with defiance.
"I'm a very innocent man," Trump told reporters, vowing that the "real verdict" would come from voters on election day. He branded the trial "rigged" and a "disgrace."
Biden's campaign stated that the verdict demonstrated that "no one is above the law." It further stated that "the threat Trump poses to our democracy has never been greater."
Judge Juan Merchan scheduled the sentence for July 11, four days before the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, where Trump is expected to win the party's formal nomination.
The 12-member jury debated for more than 11 hours over two days before the foreman announced the unanimous decision in a few minutes.
Merchan congratulated the jurors for completing a "difficult and stressful task."
Their names were kept hidden throughout the proceedings, an uncommon occurrence more commonly seen in instances involving mafia or other dangerous criminals.
Trump is also facing federal and state charges for plotting to overthrow Biden's 2020 election victory and keeping secret papers after leaving the White House.
