Trump’s Probation Interview Scheduled for Monday.

Former President Donald Trump is set to participate in an unprecedented virtual probation interview with his attorney Todd Blanche at his Mar-a-Lago home on Monday, as reported by NBC News on Sunday.

This interview is part of his hush-money case, for which he was convicted on all 34 felony counts by a Manhattan jury. The court has mandated the probation interview as a component of the pre-sentencing report for the former president.

Judge Juan Merchan, overseeing the hush money case, has permitted Blanche to accompany Trump to the probation interview, a decision unopposed by prosecutors. The Trump defense team is expected to submit their sentencing recommendation on June 13.

Trump’s sentencing is scheduled for July 11, just four days before the Republican National Convention on July 15.

Martin Horn, the former commissioner of the New York City Department of Corrections and Probation, noted that conducting a pre-sentence investigation interview over Zoom is highly unusual. He further explained that a physical visit by Trump to the New York City probation office could be disruptive, hence opting for a virtual interview could be more suitable.

Typically, a probation interview seeks to gather information about a person’s background, financial status, living situation, health, and more. Trump may also be asked about his associations and other individuals living in his home. Due to the unique circumstances of a former president facing felony charges, additional follow-up interviews may be conducted. The probation officer will eventually compile a report for Merchan.

Duncan Levin, a former prosecutor turned defense attorney, anticipates that the prosecution will request a jail sentence for Trump, who faces a potential sentencing range from probation to four years in prison.

Levin highlighted Blanche’s presence at the interview as crucial to protect Trump from potentially incriminating questions. He also mentioned Merchan’s gag order against Trump, which the president allegedly violated multiple times.

Trump campaign adviser Steven Cheung denounced the trials as “witch-hunts” targeting Trump as the presumptive Republican nominee.