On January 10, 2025, a tweet by Congresswoman Lauren Boebert about President-elect Donald Trump quickly got a lot of attention. She claimed that Trump had been “totally exonerated” and that there was “never a case” against him. However, this statement was wrong and caused a lot of confusion. Let’s look at what actually happened and why Boebert’s tweet was incorrect.
In May 2024, Donald Trump was found guilty of 34 felony counts for falsifying business records. These charges were related to payments made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels to keep quiet about an affair. This was a serious conviction. However, on January 10, 2025, the judge, Juan Merchan, decided to give Trump an “unconditional discharge.” This means Trump would not go to jail, pay fines, or serve probation, but the conviction still stands. It does not mean he was innocent.
When Boebert tweeted that Trump had been exonerated, she was mistaken. To be exonerated means a person is found not guilty of a crime. But Trump had already been convicted. Boebert’s claim that there was “never a case” against Trump was also false. The case was very real, and Trump had been found guilty by a court of law.
Boebert’s tweet didn’t stop there. She also wrote, “Those who brought these fake political charges need to be held accountable!”
President Trump has been totally exonerated.
There was NEVER a case.
Those who brought these fake political charges need to be held accountable!
— Lauren Boebert (@laurenboebert) January 10, 2025
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This claim added to the confusion. The charges against Trump were not “fake.” They were based on real evidence, and the court ruled that Trump was guilty. The case was not some political attack, as some people suggested. Many people quickly reacted to Boebert’s tweet. They pointed out that an “unconditional discharge” does not mean a person is innocent.
No BoBo, he has been convicted by a jury of his peers. He is a convicted criminal and that is a statement of FACT, not an alternative fact.
The president elect of the United States of America is a convicted criminal for the first time in history. He will be the first president…
— 𝔗𝔯𝔲𝔱𝔥 𝔐𝔞𝔱𝔱𝔢𝔯𝔰 (@politicsusa46) January 11, 2025
Might want to find a dictionary and look up exonerated. He was convicted and sentenced. He’s a felon.
— Philippe 🇺🇸 🌊 🖖🏼 (@unfazedgoat) January 10, 2025
🤣🤣🤣 is that what you tell yourself about your own?
He was not exonerated. He is a convicted felon.
— Dittie (@DittiePE) January 10, 2025
None of what you said is true. Education matters. He’s a convicted felon. Go get fondled in public.
— Outspoken™️ (@Out5p0ken) January 10, 2025
No, he is a convicted felon. He was not exonerated. 🤡
— Christy ✨ (@WillowMantis) January 10, 2025
It’s important to understand that an “unconditional discharge” is a legal term. It means that Trump will still have a criminal record, but he will not face any further punishment like jail time or fines. His conviction remains, and he has not been exonerated. For now, Trump is still a convicted felon.
One Twitter user also took the chance to talk about Boebert’s own legal history. She has had several issues with the law over the years. For example, she was caught speeding at 100 mph in a 35 mph zone when she was 16. She also faced fines for not having a dog license and missing court dates.
auren Boebert’s Wild Ride Through the Legal System:
– 2003: At the tender age of 16, Lauren was caught speeding at 100 mph in a 35 mph zone because she wanted to see if her car could indeed go that fast. Spoiler: It could. Fine: $66.
– 2004: Lauren decided to spice things up by…
— Mike in Maine☘️ (@chedman22) January 11, 2025
Lauren Boebert’s tweet about Trump being exonerated was wrong. She misunderstood what an unconditional discharge means. Trump is still a convicted felon, and his legal troubles aren’t over. Many people reacted by pointing out the facts. It’s important to know the truth before making strong claims, especially about legal matters. Trump’s conviction still stands, and Boebert’s attempt to defend him missed the mark.
Featured image via Political Tribune Gallery