CCTV reporters learned that on January 10 local time, a judge of the New York State Supreme Court ruled on the "hush money" case involving elected President Trump, determining that Trump was guilty on 34 counts in this case. However, considering the important stage of the presidential power transition process, he was unconditionally released and not punished.

Timeline of important developments in Trump's "hush money" case:

• On March 30, 2023, a New York State grand jury voted to indict Trump on criminal charges for allegedly paying $0.13 million in "hush money" to an adult film actress during the 2016 presidential campaign, marking the first time in US history that a former president faces such allegations.

• On April 4, 2023, Trump appeared in court in New York City, becoming the first former president in US history to be criminally indicted.

• On April 15, 2024, a criminal court in Manhattan, New York City, began trial proceedings for Trump's "hush money" case, with Trump himself appearing in the defendant's seat, becoming the first former president in US history to face a criminal trial.

• On May 30, 2024, a 12-member jury in New York City ruled in the "hush money" case that Trump falsified business records and violated relevant New York state laws, with all 34 counts of criminal charges being upheld. Thus, Trump became the first former president in US history to be found guilty in a criminal case.

• On July 2, 2024, New York State Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan announced the sentencing for the "hush money" case involving Trump was postponed from the originally scheduled date of July 11, 2024, to September 18, 2024.

• On September 6, 2024, Merchan announced that the ruling date for Trump's "hush money" criminal case was postponed to November 26, 2024.

• On November 22, 2024, Merrick Garland decided to indefinitely postpone the verdict in the criminal case involving Trump's "hush money" connected to the presidential election he won that month.

• On December 16, 2024, the New York State Supreme Court refused to overturn the guilty verdict on the grounds of Trump's presidential immunity.

• On January 3, 2025, Merrick Garland made a decision to issue a ruling on the "hush money" case related to Trump on January 10.

• On January 9, 2025, the New York State Appeals Court decided to reject the motion by Trump's attorneys to suspend the ruling on the "hush money" case.

Editor/lambor