Trump To Interview With Probation Officials To Plead For Lighter Sentence In 'Hush Money' Case

Following his conviction in the New York hush-money trial earlier this month, presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump will once again have to leave the campaign trail to be interviewed with probation officials at Mar-a-Lago on Monday.

The upcoming pre-sentencing probation interview, a crucial step in the legal process, will see Trump participating online from his Palm Beach, Florida resort with New York officials. This interview is designed to provide probation officials with a deeper understanding of the defendant, thereby equipping Judge Juan Merchan with more context when he is making his sentencing decision. Trump's lawyer, Todd Blanche, has been granted permission to attend the meeting, as reported by The New York Post.

The probation interview presents Trump with an opportunity to present his case and potentially influence the severity of his sentence. While the possibility of four years of jail time looms, Judge Merchan has the discretion to impose much lighter sentences, such as community service or probation.

"The judge could sentence him to anything between zero and the max," Dan Horwitz told CBS News. "So he could sentence him to a period of months in jail, he could sentence him to a period of weeks in jail, he could sentence him to a sentence where he is required, for example, to go to jail every weekend for a period of time and then serve the rest of the sentence on probation."

As previously reported by the DC Enquirer, the jury found Trump guilty on each of the 34 counts of falsifying business records. Following the verdict, Trump told the press that he would continue to fight in the courts to achieve justice and continued to say that the trial against him was election interference. Judge Merchan scheduled Trump's sentencing hearing for July 11, just days before the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The convention will begin on July 15 and conclude on July 18 when delegates from across the country nominate Trump to be the GOP's nominee for president. "Sentencing is 4 days before the GOP Convention...They're not even trying to hide the ELECTION INTERFERENCE!!!!" Donald Trump Jr. wrote on X.

Judge Merchan's sentencing decision in July has the potential to significantly impact the presidential race. If he opts for a harsher sentence, such as imprisonment or even confinement for a few weeks or on weekends, it could deal a severe blow to Trump's campaign. 

You can follow Sterling on X/Twitter here.