Donald Trump completes 'highly unusual' pre-sentencing interview with New York probation office

• e-mail

Donald Trump completed his pre-sentencing interview with a New York City probation officer from his home in Florida on Monday. 

Along with attorney Todd Blanche, Trump sat for the interview on Monday afternoon ahead of his sentencing scheduled for 10 a.m. on July 11 after he was found guilty last month of 34 felony charges in his Manhattan hush money trial.

'The President and his team will continue to fight the lawless Manhattan DA Witch Hunt,' a source familiar with the proceedings claimed. 

Pre-sentencing meetings are usually the time when the defense seeks to lighten the potential sentencing. Additionally, the legal team can submit to the judge letters of support from the friends and family of the 2024 Republican presidential candidate.

Trump's legal team is scheduled to submit sentencing recommendations on Thursday, a source familiar with the plan revealed.

Former President Donald Trump completed his pre-sentencing interview virtually with New York City probation officers on Monday afternoon. Pictured: Trump arrives to speak at a campaign rally in Las Vegas, Nevada on June 9, 2024

The virtual interview was 'unusual' because criminals are usually required to attend the procedure in-person and critics claim it exhibits the 'special treatment' the former president is receiving in his felony conviction. 

Judge Juan Merchan could sentence the former president to anything from probation to a maximum 20-year sentence in state prison in New York. 

A New York City official familiar with the interview with probation officers told CNN that Trump answered all questions posed and was described as 'polite, respectful and accommodating.'

Another source familiar with the proceedings explained: 'Earlier today, President Trump completed a routine interview with [the] New York Probation Office. The interview was uneventful and lasted less than thirty minutes.'

Read More

BREAKING NEWS

Donald Trump found GUILTY on all 34 felony counts in hush money trial

Defendants are typically asked during pre-sentencing interviews about their conviction and basic background information.

While defendants are not required to cooperate with routine pre-sentencing investigations, a judge can view that negatively heading into the sentencing.

The fact that Trump was able to have his pre-sentencing meeting over Zoom angered some critics who claim the presumed GOP presidential nominee is receiving special treatment. Specifically, some pointed to the fact that due to the virtual nature of the interview, Trump was not subjected to drug testing, which is typical at a pre-sentencing interview.

'There's been no explanation whatsoever for why this convicted felon gets to do what would normally be mandatory in-person meetings over Zoom, but we can already see the value in this special treatment for Trump, as it's *essential* that he hide any illicit drug use from voters,' author Seth Abramson said in a post on X.

He continued: 'There is no excuse for Trump not being in NYC. He has a home there. He has a private jet. He's supposedly a billionaire. His private attorney will fly with him anywhere in the world.'

'Yet if this were you or me we would *have* to go to NYC, whereas *he* is asked to do *nothing*,' Abramson concluded.

Trump's attorney Todd Blanche (right) joined the former president for the virtual pre-sentencing interview on Monday. Trump's legal team will submit sentencing recommendations on Thursday

Other users also took issue with the virtual interview.

One user posted to X: 'Can't wait to see how they spin this as not being special treatment,' and another wrote: 'He's definitely getting special treatment.'

'Unfortunately, he still gets special treatment,' another user posted. 'There was no drug test and a Zoom meeting with his lawyer to hold his fragile hand. The American justice system is looking increasingly weak.'

However, Former Commissioner of New York City's Department of Corrections and Probation Martin Horn, told NBC News a virtual interview was likely 'better for the probation officer' because an in-person meeting with Trump could 'be very disruptive to the probation office and unfair to other defendants who might not want to be identified.'

Following the interview on Monday, the probation officer will now report to Judge Merchan ahead of sentencing, which is set just four days before the start of the Republican National Convention.

The convention will take place this year in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Trump is expected to be nominated for a third time as the GOP candidate for president.