(CBS) Appearing in court virtually from his Mar-a-Lago home Friday, President-elect Donald Trump was sentenced for his crimes in the New York “hush money” case and released with no restrictions.
Justice Juan Merchan followed through on a promise made one week ago to give Trump a sentence of unconditional discharge, which includes neither jail time nor any other restriction that might impede Trump after his inauguration on Jan. 20.
Merchan said during sentencing Friday that he was granting that sentence because he believed it was the only legal option, just 10 days before Trump assumes the presidency.
He told the court that “this has been a truly extraordinary case,” even though once the courtroom doors closed, the trial itself had been no more special or unique or extraordinary than any other.
However, he told Trump, the same could not be said about the circumstances surrounding the president-elect’s sentencing “because of the office you once occupied and will soon occupy again.” He said that it was the legal protections afforded to the office of the president that were extraordinary, “not the occupant of the office.”
Those legal protections afforded by the office of the chief executive, were a factor that overrode all others, Merchan said, but they were not a mitigating factor. He said they did not reduce the seriousness of the crimes, and even those considerable protections did not have the power to erase a jury verdict.
Merchan said he determined that the only lawful sentence he could give, without encroaching on the highest post in the land, was an unconditional discharge.
Donald Trump, the civilian, he said, might not have gotten so lenient a sentence.
President-elect Donald Trump, right, and Todd Blanche, attorney for Donald Trump, appear virtually at Manhattan criminal court in New York, US, on Friday, Jan. 10, 2025. Jeenah Moon/Bloomberg via Getty Images
In the courtroom, Trump and attorney Todd Blanche — who has also been tapped by the president-elect to serve as deputy attorney general — could be seen on a screen at the defense and prosecutors’ table sitting next to each other, with two American flags visible behind them, in a room with dark wooden walls.
Trump was given the opportunity to address the court. He called the trial “a very terrible experience” and “a tremendous setback for New York.”
“With all the horrible things that are going on, I got indicted for calling a legal expense a legal expense,” Trump said, referring to the falsified reimbursements to a former lawyer, for a “hush money” payment at the core of the case.
“It’s been a political witch hunt,” Trump said on camera. “It was done to damage my reputation so that I’d lose the election, and obviously, that didn’t work.”
“The fact is i’m totally innocent,” Trump said. “I did nothing wrong.”
Ahead of sentencing, prosecutor Joshua Steinglass said Trump’s actions in attacking the judicial system and prosecutors in this case “constitutes a direct attack on the rule of law itself.”
“Far from expressing any kind of remorse for his criminal conduct, the defendant has purposefully bred disdain for our judicial institutions and the rule of law, and he’s done this to serve his own ends, and to encourage others to reject the jury verdict that he finds so distasteful,” Steinglass said.
“Put simply, this defendant has caused enduring damage to public perception of the criminal justice system, and has placed officers of the court in harm’s way,” Steinglass said.
Blanche said that he strongly disagreed with Steinglass’ assessment of the case and Trump’s conduct. He told the court that it was not just Trump and experts cited by Trump who felt the case should not have been brought, but the majority of the American people, referring to those who voted for the Republican in November.
At every turn, Trump and his lawyers have fought Manhattan prosecutors since the beginning of the “hush money” investigation in 2018. They challenged prosecutors’ subpoenas and rulings by Merchan, battling all the way to the Supreme Court multiple times, including an effort this week to stave off Friday’s hearing.
On Thursday, the Supreme Court said it would not intervene on Trump’s behalf, clearing the way for Merchan to issue his decision. Trump soon after the high court’s decision said he had read it and “thought it was a fair decision, actually,” noting the Supreme Court justices pointed out he could appeal and that there would be “really…no penalty.”
“But we’re going to appeal anyway,” he added in his remarks Thursday night. “So, I’ll do my little thing tomorrow. They can have fun with their political opponent,” Trump said.
Although there are no cameras in the courtroom, an audio recording of the proceedings will be released after the hearing concludes.
While Trump’s trial and arraignment brought crowds and overnight lines, on Friday morning, the general public line was sparse and no onlookers in the park across the street were visible before dawn.
Trump was found guilty in May after a seven-week trial. A unanimous jury concluded he committed 34 felonies in authorizing a scheme in 2017 to falsify records, in order to cover up reimbursements for a “hush money” payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels.
Daniels testified during the trial, as did Trump’s former lawyer and “fixer” Michael Cohen, who received the falsified reimbursements for his wire to Daniels just before the 2016 presidential election. Cohen gave Daniels the $130,000 payment in exchange for her silence about an alleged sexual encounter with Trump years earlier.
Multiple witnesses testified that Trump was pleased voters did not learn of Daniels’ story before the 2016 election.
Merchan held Trump in contempt 10 times during the trial for violations of a gag order barring him from making public comments about witnesses, court staff and others. In issuing the 10th contempt citation, Merchan — who frequently acknowledged the unique circumstances of the trial and its famed, powerful defendant — foreshadowed Friday’s likely sentence.
“The last thing I want to do is to put you in jail,” Merchan said.
COMMENTARY: The recent concerns raised by a Supreme Court Judge during a court case sentencing have brought to light whether the police in Tonga are being proactive enough in combating illicit drugs.
Justice Nicholas Cooper
They also beg the question of whether law enforcement is fully utilizing all available opportunities they have seized to effectively address the growing issue of drug-related activities in the country.
Justice Nicholas Cooper had been concerned about the police’s failure to disclose what appeared to be names of drug ringleaders listed in “note books” confiscated by the Police.
He described Laimani’s case as very serious, and “it was large scale commercial supply”. He said, “the presence of a firearm in the context of this drug dealing I consider a serious aggravating feature”.
“No one possesses these amounts of illicit drugs without connections to people higher up the supply chain. It stands to reason that Mr. Laimani was dealing with others more heavily involved in illicit drug supply and so in turn, he forms part of serious organised criminal network”, Mr Cooper said.
The Judge believed that Laimani’s case presented a significant opportunity for the court to gain insight into the individuals acting as ringleaders behind him had the Police worked on the details of the “dealer lists” and submitted them as evidence during the hearing.
He also said the Police should have done more than just charging Laimani for possession of the 155.90 grams of methamphetamine, a 12-gauge shotgun, a set of scales and 1699 empty dealer packs.
Mr Cooper said the notebooks, according to information provided to him, appeared to be lists of people at the level of drug kingpins.
The Judge believed that Mr Laimani’s on-site admissions to Police about selling methamphetamine for profit indicated that the documents likely pertained to individuals who manage larger quantities of illicit drugs.
“None of these notebooks have been provided or any detail of the contents placed before me save they “contained a list of names and numbers””, Mr Cooper said, according to the court judgement.
He said that the police should have also charged Laimani with additional counts related to drug activities after the discovery of the note books.
The judge said: “If a person is caught by police in possession of “dealer lists”, that is prima facie strong evidence they have possessed the drugs referred to and ought to be charged and ultimately sentenced for that criminality. To fail in this is to fail in the war against drugs”.
He was also concerned about the police’s lack of assessment regarding Laimani’s risk of reoffending and the potential harm he could pose to society.
However, he said that in both cases it must be at least medium harm as this was a calculated and planned criminal enterprise he was running.
It is crucial for the police to take Mr Cooper’s comment seriously and provide clarification.
This incident is not the first time that concerns have been raised regarding the authorities in Tonga responsible for combating drugs.
The public deserves transparency and accountability in matters like these. It would be beneficial if the police could clarify why they did not follow through with the actions Mr Cooper believed were necessary in this situation.
King’s concerns
In 2021, the king criticized the government, saying he was fed up with the House and the government giving him the same responses every year without further resolving these issues.
He was deeply troubled by the daunting challenges posed by the direct consequence of the rise in illicit drug use.
Last year, he also expressed his grave concern at the level of the illicit drug crisis that has infiltrated every part of society, from villages to schools and the government.
Recent court cases reported by Kaniva News and various other media outlets have revealed a troubling trend in Tonga: the involvement of some families in the illicit drug trade.
These cases indicate that parents and their children are participating in this illegal business, raising concerns about the impact on family dynamics and the broader community.
Corruption
We have also reported cases in which authorities had been convicted and sentenced for drug-related activities.
Last year, a Recruit Prison Officer of His Majesty’s Prison, Hu’atolitoli, was arrested, suspended and was under a criminal investigation for alleged possession of illicit drugs.
In early 2024, a senior bank official working at the National Reserve Bank of Tonga (NRBT) and his sister were charged after being caught with 15 kilograms of methamphetamine.
In 2019, “a senior customs officer was arrested for his involvement in importing a shipment of 6 kg of methamphetamine into Tonga along with quantities of cannabis, cannabis oil, arms and ammunition from the United States”.
It is essential that every individual in Tonga, particularly those in positions of authority, recognizes their responsibility in the ongoing battle against drug-related crimes. They should actively seek out and seize every opportunity to implement effective strategies and initiatives aimed at mitigating the negative impacts of such criminal activities on society.
Tropical Cyclone Pita, with sustained winds that are momentarily gusting, was located near Vava’u.
However, Cyclone Pita is expected to leave Tonga this afternoon, according to Tonga MetService.
It is slowly moving away from Niufo’ou and Niuatoputapu on its current track, heading northeast towards the Vava’u and Ha’apai islands.
A gale warning and heavy damaging swell remain in force for the Niuas, Vava’u and Ha’apai coastal waters.
A strong wind warning remains in force for Tongatapu, ‘Eua, Tele-ki-Tonga and tele-ki-Tokelau coastal waters.
A small craft advisory remains in force for all of Tonga coastal waters.
Tonga MetService said Tropical Cyclone “Pita” (Category 1) was located east-northeast of Neiafu (Vava’u), south-southeast of Hihifo (Niuatoputapu), northeast of Pangai (Ha’apai), northeast of Ha’afeva (Ha’apai), southeast of ‘Esia (Niuafo’ou) at 10pm tonight.
It has a sustained wind of 30-35 knots (60 – 70km/hr) near the centre with a momentary gust of up to 40-45 (80-90 km/hr) knots.
Tropical Cyclone Pita is currently moving east-southeast at a speed of 20 knots (40 km/hr).
It has associated clouds, heavy rain, and strong to gale-force winds with thunderstorms that will affect the Niuas, Vava’u and Ha’apai Groups.
For the Niuas: West to northwest winds 25-35 knots (50-70km/hr), gusting up to gale force winds of 35- 45 knots ( 70-90km/hr) at times.
Overcast with occasional rain, heavy at times with isolated thunderstorms. Becoming fine later this afternoon.
Flooding in low-lying areas due to heavy rain is expected.
For Vava’u and Ha’apai: East to southeast winds 15-20 knots (30-40km/hr), then rising up to 25 knots with a momentary gust up to gale force winds of 35-45knots (70-90km/hr) at times.
Overcast with occasional rain, heavy at times with isolated thunderstorms. Becoming fine later this afternoon. Flooding in low lying areas due to heavy rain is expected.
For Tongatapu and ‘Eua: East to southeast winds 10-15knots (20-30km/hr), rising up to 20knots (40km/hr) at times.
As devastating wildfires continue to crop Los Angeles, an individual has been arrested in connection with the Kenneth Fire in West Hollywood Hills, which is under investigation for arson
One person has been arrested on suspicion of deliberately starting fires amid the ongoing wildfire crisis (
The Los Angeles Police Department were called at around 4:30 pm on Thursday after receiving calls about a man allegedly attempting to ignite a blaze in Woodland Hills’ 21700 block of Ybarra Road, as reported by KTLA.
Quick-thinking locals helped the police to capture the individual. While the identity of the individual hasn’t been disclosed their potential link to other fires in Los Angeles has yet to be clarified, the LAPD has stated that the Kenneth Fire is under investigation as deliberate arson.
An LA Fire Department official had initially dismissed the claims that the fires had been started intentionally when the suspicion was raised by several high profile stars including Happy Days actor Henry Winkler, singer Chris Brown and TV star Elizabeth Chambers. They said: “There’s no way to know at this moment exactly where and how the series of fires started, but an investigation is underway.”
However, that now appears to have changed, following the arrest of one suspect in connection with the situation.
In this aerial view taken from a helicopter, an air tanker prepares to drop fire retardant on the Kenneth fire in the Calabasas area of Los Angeles county,
Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman told NewsNation: “Justice will be swift. It will be firm, and the maximum punishment will be sought.” LAPD senior lead officer Charles Dinsel also commented on the arrest, adding that the suspect in now in custody on suspicion of intentionally causing the blaze.. He said. ‘It is being investigated as a crime.”
When asked if he believed the fire had been started intentionally, he responded: “At this time, that’s what we believe. Yes.”
The suspect was arrested and taken to Topanga station, as three intense fires continue to burn out of control in the wider Los Angeles area.
The rapidly moving Kenneth blaze has already stretched to 960 acres since first igniting, and now threatens the Malibu Canyon area north of the 101 Freeway near Calabasas. This luxe neighbourhood is the home of some of LA’s most iconic names, including Kourtney Kardashian and Will Smith.Kim and Khloe Kardashian meanwhile live in nearby Hidden Hills.
Traffic backs up as residents evacuate ahead of the Kenneth Fire on January 09, 2025
The Kenneth Fire started at approximately 2pm Thursday in the Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space, swiftly engulfing more than 600 acres by 6pm, data from CALFire showed. Initially, the fire stood at 50 acres by 3:45pm, but had rapidly grown to 791 acres by 4.45pm, before hitting 960 acres by 6pm.
In light of the spreading fire, mandatory evacuation orders were issued by the state as firefighters fought to tackle the fire with water bombs dropped from the skies, however the Santa Ana winds have continued to make bringing the fire under control extremely challenging.
As people fled their homes as instructed, the road out of Calabasas quickly became gridlocked on Thursday evening, with bumper to bumper traffic causing delays and concern among those fleeing their homes.
In anticipation of more fires and worsening conditions, residents across southern California have been warned to gather important documents and possessions in anticipation of further evacuations which could happen at very short notice.
As of Thursday evening the death toll had already risen to 7, with more than 10,000 structures now reportedly decimated in the flames.
Two men had been jailed for their crimes at Nuku’alofa Central Business District and received five and three years jail terms, respectively.
Taulanga Siupeli Nonu pleaded guilty to serious housebreaking, theft and serious arson.
The Lord Chief Justice Malcolm Bishop sentenced Nonu to seven and a half years for serious housebreaking, theft and serious arson in jail. He suspended the last two years on conditions.
His co-accused, Molitoni Moimoi, pleaded guilty to serious housebreaking and theft.
He had been sentenced to three years and two months. The Police had dropped the arson charge against him.
The two months had been added following the activation of his suspension penalty imposed in an earlier case.
The duo had been charged after committing the crimes at the Teta Tours building.
The Lord Chief Justice said these were serious offences and that Nonu destroyed property worth no less than TOP$ 1 million.
He said Moimoi had a very bad record of offending since 2020.
The judge said that in both cases, the offences were premeditated, and although both pleaded guilty, they only did so on the day of the trial and, indeed, after a jury had been sworn in and the trial was about to commence.
He said in Moimoi’s case, these offences were committed whilst he was subject to a fully suspended sentence and additionally committed while on bail.
“There is very little it can be said in mitigation in the case of either of you and the time has now come for the full force of the law to take its course”, Mr Bishop said.
A new scam masquerading as the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi is making the rounds in Tauranga, asking people to pay late road toll fees.
A copy of the scam NZTA text message making its way across the city, asking people to make bogus road toll payments.
It contains an ominous message from the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi asking people to pay unknown late fees and a link to where to pay a bogus outstanding road toll.
The text message was received by a SunLive reader, who wished to stay anonymous, on Tuesday.
“It was weird that I got the message not long after using the toll road on January 4,” she said.
Bad grammar and the message coming from an overseas phone number tipped her off that it was not a genuine request from NZTA, she said.
“But not everyone pays attention to bad grammar.”
NZTA understands how frustrating and unsettling these scams can be, a spokesperson said.
“We encourage anyone who receives suspicious text messages, emails, or other communications to report them to us straight away.”
NZTA said official text messages would only come from a 3651 number and never include a link for online transactions.
Alternatively, NZTA had launched an app for New Zealanders to securely access their driver’s licence and vehicle information.
“We are also working with Police, Cert NZ, and Netsafe to combat the scammers.”
“However, they are relentless and persistent, with new fraudulent websites appearing as soon as one is taken down or blocked.”
The scam itself is a variation of the other scam pretending to be the NZTA, where it will ask for registration or driver’s license renewal.
Samoan Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa has terminated Laauli Leuatea Schmidt as Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries.
Laauli Leuatea Schmidt and Samoan Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa Photo: RNZ Pacific / Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia
Laauli, Chairman of the country’s ruling FAST party, also faces several criminal charges.
A government statement said this matter arose following the formal announcement of allegations implicating the minister.
It cited an incident in 2017, in which Schmidt faced criminal charges relating to obtaining money via deception, and had to resign as minister of agriculture but remained as an MP.
In the current circumstances, Schmidt has not resigned.
The government has stated that this made his termination “inevitable.”
The government said it was justifying this decision, based on recent statements it had made about being committed to upholding the rule of law and providing opportunities for individuals to seek justice.
The government is relying upon Article 33 of the Samoan Constitution, which provides for making the office of a minister vacant.
Speculation and rumour has been raging in Samoa and on social media about the case, leading to police commissioner Auapa’au Logoitino clarifying the charges against Laauli.
These include:
Three counts of conspiracy or attempt to defeat or pervert the course of justice
Conspiracy to commit an offence (fabricate evidence)
Harassment utilizing means of electronic communication
Three counts of false statement causing harm to a person’s reputation
Two counts of using insulting words with intent to provoke a breach of the peace
Laauli posted on social media after charges were laid against him that he was innocent of the accusations.
New Zealand police are continuing their search for a suspect in connection with the deadly shooting of a Tongan father six months ago.
Siosaia Kokohu Vi
Saia Kokohu Vi, a Tongan grandfather, was located in a vehicle at the intersection of Marvon Downs Ave and Pixie Place on the morning of August 19 after a series of shots were reported in Pakuranga Heights.
Emergency services treated him, but he died at the scene.
Police later said last year the homicide investigation “remains ongoing” and “there are no further updates at this stage”.
Detective Inspector Shaun Vickers said police were making steady progress in their investigation.
“As part of our enquiries, we are investigating how this homicide may be linked to another incident where a firearm was discharged towards a house in Beach Haven on the morning of 23 July,” he said in a statement.
“At the moment we can confirm there is a familial link between people who live at both addresses, but we are working hard to understand the motivation behind both shootings,” Vickers previously said.
He said police were working to confirm if the shootings were gang related.
“It is still very early in our investigation, and we have a lot of ground to cover as we piece this together.”
Police said last month the homicide might be linked to the shooting in Beach Haven on the North Shore in July when a home and vehicle were shot at on Rambler Crescent.
Vi’s 33-year old son was on bail at the Rambler Crescent address that was targeted, the NZ Herald reported.
Court documents seen by Stuff show that Vi’s son and daughter had lived with him at the Pakuranga Heights address where he was killed.
The pair were arrested in 2022 as part of Operation Worthington, an investigation into an organised crime group in Auckland. They are facing charges including importing drugs and money laundering
A father who was selling drugs to provide for his family of seven has been sentenced to six and a half years in prison.
Palatoni Laimani, 37, pleaded guilty to all three charges and was sentenced after Police raided his residence based on a tip-off.
Several people and Laimani were in his house when the Police entered.
Justice Nicholas Cooper described the crime as “very serious offending” in his view.
Items seized included 155.90 grams of methamphetamine, a 12 gauge shotgun, a set of scales and 1699 empty ‘dealer packs’.
Laimani was charged for all these items recovered from a large plastic bin.
Most of the methamphetamine comes in the form of five bags weighing 27.95 grams.
There were a further 47 bags.
The Police also recovered cash of TOP$2,500, NZ$20 and US$3.
A number of notebooks have also been recovered. The judge believed these were dealer lists.
“Given Mr Lautaimi’s admission at the scene that he was in the business of selling methamphetamine for profits, that would accord with what he said.
Mr Cooper sentenced Laimani to seven and half years‟ imprisonment, the last 1 year suspended for 2 years, back dated to his first remand on 28 May 2024”.
Mr Laimani assisted the police at the scene in the sense he was candid about his possessing the illicit drugs.
The judge also said: “It was large scale commercial supply and the presence of a firearm in the context of this drug dealing I consider a serious aggravating feature. I note that no ammunition was recovered, but in my view, that is merely the absence of a further aggravating factor”.
Mr. Laimani is not to leave the Kingdom of Tonga until his suspended sentence is completed, both the conditions and the two-year term. This is to ensure he does not escape that part of his sentence and also to ensure the rehabilitative portion of the sentence can be properly completed”.
Laimani’s suspension conditions are as follows:
. Report to probation within 24 hours of release
. Complete drug rehabilitation course
. Complete a life skills course
. Live where directed by probation
. He must not commit any offence punishable by imprisonment further that time
