Donald Trump finished his mandatory presentencing interview in under 30 minutes on Monday. A source called it routine and uneventful. The former president was quizzed by a New York City probation officer for a report, required by law, that judge Juan Merchan can use to help determine Trump’s punishment when he is sentenced July 11 in his so-called hush money criminal case, according to the Associated Press. Monday’s interview was conducted privately by video conferencing. Under state law, the report, which may include information about Trump’s conviction, his social, family and employment history, and his education and economic status, will remain confidential unless the judge authorizes its release. Merchan has the discretion to impose a wide range of punishments for Trump’s May 30 conviction for falsifying business records to cover up a potential sex scandal, ranging from probation and fines to up to four years in prison.
Trump took part in the probation interview from his residence at the Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Fla., with his lawyer Todd Blanche. The arrangement got complaints of special treatment for a famous defendant, but city officials said such accommodations are available to anyone subject to a presentencing interview. Most people convicted of crimes in New York meet with probation officers face-to-face and aren’t allowed to have lawyers with them. After Blanche balked about Trump being made to answer questions alone, Merchan granted the defense lawyer permission to sit in. A probation spokesperson said defendants have had the option of conducting their presentencing interviews by video since before the COVID-19 pandemic began.