Former President Trump completed his mandatory pre-sentencing interview with a New York City probation officer Monday, following his conviction late last month in the hush-money trial, according to a person familiar with the proceedings.
The routine interview, required by law, will aid Judge Juan Merchan, who presided over Trump’s first criminal case, in deciding what type of punishment the former president will face when he is sentenced. The sentencing hearing is currently set for July 11, just four days before the 2024 Republican National Convention, where Trump is expected to be named the official GOP presidential nominee.
The virtual interview was “uneventful” and lasted less than thirty minutes, the source said. The former president completed it from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Fla.
“The President and his team will continue to fight the lawless Manhattan DA Witch Hunt, along with the other Crooked Joe Biden-directed Hoaxes,” the source added.
New York City Department of Probation Commissioner Juanita Holmes was present in the video conference meeting, along with the department’s counsel and officer designated to the former president’s case. Todd Blanche, Trump’s lead attorney in the Manhattan criminal case, was also present, according to CNN.
During these meetings, defendants are normally asked about their convictions and some of their background information — but they do not have to cooperate. However, not participating could be taken negatively by Merchan, who is able to sentence the presumptive GOP nominee for up to four years per felony count.
Both prosecutors and the defense team can submit letters with recommendations for how Trump should be sentenced.
Trump became the first former president convicted on felony charges late last month. A New York jury found him guilty on all 34 counts for falsifying business records related to a payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 election to conceal an alleged past affair, which he denies.
His legal team has vowed to consider “all options” when it comes to appealing the conviction.