Inside the Courtroom When the Trump Verdict Was Announced

Courtroom sketch artist Jane Rosenberg had a clear view of former President Donald Trump as the verdict was read. Trump glanced at the foreman as he began to stand, then immediately closed his eyes as the verdict was delivered.

The proceedings unfolded swiftly. The jury entered the courtroom and took their places in the jury box, confirming they had reached a verdict. The foreman, silent throughout the trial until this moment, stood, took the microphone, and announced the jury’s decision on the first criminal charge against Trump.

“Guilty,” the foreman declared. Trump shut his eyes and slowly shook his head.

Rosenberg, observing the scene, noted, “He shook his head ‘no.’”

The foreman continued, addressing all 33 charges of falsifying business records. Each response was the same: guilty. The entire recitation lasted less than two minutes.

The verdict came during what seemed to be a routine moment in the jury’s deliberations. Around 4:15 p.m., Judge Juan M. Merchan had informed both the prosecution and Trump that he planned to dismiss the jury within the next 15 minutes. However, the judge left the courtroom and returned over 20 minutes later, announcing that the jury had reached its verdict.