Former federal prosecutor Doug Burns made comments on Newsmax on Friday after Judge Juan Marchan set a sentencing date for President-elect Donald Trump’s case days before Inauguration Day.
Marchand ruled that there was “no legal bar” to sentencing Trump before he took office, requiring him to appear in court on January 10. exterior On Newsmax’s “Carl Higbie: Frontline,” Burns slammed Marchand’s decision, calling it “disgraceful.”
“We have said over and over again that this is a completely ridiculous case. But not only has Carl not received any jail time, he has not received any probation. The sentence is what’s called a conditional discharge, no probation at all. And then he just asks an obviously sarcastic and rhetorical question and walks out of the building,” Trump said. Mr. Burns told Mr. Higbee after he said he had not.
“And the fact is, we don’t see conditional release sentences for felony cases.”
Criminal defense attorney Ken Belkin agreed, criticizing Marchand’s handling of the case. Belkin said he believes the charges should have been dismissed.
“Everything in this case was set up for appeal from the beginning, and, frankly, Judge Marchan should have defeated District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s case from the beginning. There are a number of reasons why it should not have proceeded, let alone proceeded to a verdict,” Belkin told Higbee when asked if the sentencing was set for appeal.
As President Trump prepares to challenge the verdict, Burns and Higbee discussed the possibility of overturning it. (Related: Liberal lawyer offers likely nuclear option to prevent Trump from taking office)
“If you look at it objectively and rationally, sir, look at the act. Look at the exterior. This is appropriate everywhere. But you’re in a hotbed of anti-Trumpism. We’re in this ridiculous fantasy country where the votes were 80, 20, I’m just guessing,” Burns said. “And that’s a real shame. But the point is, the judge, Carl, let me tell you, the judge knew he couldn’t postpone it for four years.”
The lengthy trial concluded in May when a Manhattan jury found Trump guilty of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to a non-disclosure agreement with adult film actress Stormy Daniels.
The sentencing was originally scheduled for just before the Republican National Convention in July, but has been postponed multiple times. Sentencing was postponed for the first time after the Supreme Court ruled in July on presidential immunity. Marchand had postponed sentencing indefinitely after Trump won the November election.
All content produced by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent, nonpartisan news distribution service, is available free of charge to legitimate news publishers with large audiences. All republished articles must include our logo, reporter byline, and DCNF affiliation. If you have any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact us at licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
