Closing arguments are currently underway in the felony hush money case involving former President Donald Trump. After almost six weeks of trial, prosecutors have presented a strong case against Trump, alleging that he falsified business records to cover up payments made to an adult film actress to keep her silent about an alleged affair.
As a former federal prosecutor, I find the evidence presented by the Manhattan district attorney’s office to be compelling. The prosecution has marshaled witnesses and documentary evidence to support their claims that Trump directed a plot to conceal the alleged affair from voters during the 2016 presidential election. However, the final decision rests with the jury, who could either convict Trump on the 34 felony counts he faces or acquit him.
While most federal criminal defendants do not go to trial, statistics show that juries tend to convict in the majority of cases. However, Trump is not a typical defendant, and the outcome of this trial is uncertain. The jury could potentially acquit him on some or all of the charges, or they may fail to reach a unanimous decision, leading to a mistrial.
Regardless of the verdict, it is important to respect the decision of the jury and the justice system. As a former United States Attorney, I have seen both convictions and acquittals, and while acquittals may be difficult to accept, they are a part of our imperfect justice system. It is crucial for all citizens, including former presidents like Trump, to recognize and respect the role of juries in determining the outcome of a trial.