What Trump's unconditional discharge sentence means in the hush money case

Contributing sentiments towards policy:

59% : Trump has made clear that he intends to appeal.
46% : "Can Trump appeal?
42% : Merchan suggested in court that anything more punitive than unconditional discharge would have interfered with the broad protections Trump will receive once he is inaugurated as president on Jan. 20.
42% : After his appellate lawyers and the Manhattan district attorney's office have filed their briefs, the court may hold oral arguments, which Trump could attend.
41% : He noted that the "citizenry of this nation" had voted to send Trump back to the White House.
40% : As such, the judge concluded, unconditional discharge was the only sentence he could give Trump "without encroaching on the highest office of the land.
40% : Trump will possess broad pardon power as president, but that power doesn't extend to state crimes.
35% : Trump has vowed to appeal, meaning legal wrangling is likely to continue over his May conviction by a jury on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records.
33% : "Can Trump pardon himself?
32% : The governor of New York could pardon Trump, but that seems unlikely.
28% : Justice Juan Merchan's sentence of unconditional discharge for Trump carries no jail time, probation or fines.
23% : Trump denies the allegations.
19% : Trump had faced up to four years in prison.
19% : Trump had faced up to four years in prison.
18% : Why was Trump sentenced to 'unconditional discharge'?New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan gave Trump a no-penalty sentence known as unconditional discharge.
3% : Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat who has criticized Trump, said Trump would have to show remorse before she would consider pardoning him.

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