Before sentencing Trump, Judge Merchan emphasizes that the "protections afforded to the office of the president" apply only to that office, "not the occupant of the office."

"To be clear, the protections afforded to the office of the president are not a mitigating factor. They do not reduce the seriousness of the crime or justify its commission in any way. The protections are, however, a legal mandate which, pursuant to the rule of law, this court must respect and follow," says the judge.

"It is through that lens and that reality that this court must determine a lawful sentence," Merchan says.

"This court has determined that the only lawful sentence ... is an unconditional discharge," Merchan says, handing down the sentence.

"Sir, I wish you god speed as you assume your second term in office," Merchan tells Trump in conclusion.

The hearing over, Trump logs off his remote connection.

Trump concludes his statement by saying, "I have been treated very, very unfairly, and thank you very much."

His tone for all his remarks was very calm and balanced -- he said it plainly as if he was reading a speech. He never appeared to raise his voice.

Judge Merchan is now explaining his reasoning for his unconditional discharge sentence.

Trump is looking directly into the camera as Merchan explains his sentence.

"Never before has this court been presented with such a unique and remarkable set of circumstances," Merchan says. "This has been a truly extraordinary case."

Merchan is now remarking on the unremarkable nature of the trial, no different than any other trial that has taken place in this storied courthouse.

But the circumstances of this sentence are "extraordinary," Merchan remarks regarding presidential immunity.

"This has been a very terrible experience," Trump says, addressing the court on the large monitor.

"I think it's been a tremendous setback for New York and the New York court system," he said.

Trump is now going after a former assistant district attorney who resigned from the office before his indictment was brought.

He blames accountants for logging the hush payment to Stormy Daniels a legal expense.

"It's incredible actually," Trump says about his actions that prompted his indictment, arguing he correctly labeled Cohen's payments as legal expenses.

Trump says this was a case Alvin Bragg did not want to bring, as the DA stared straight ahead expressionless, watching the feed.

"It's an injustice of justice," Trump says about the the case, citing a series of legal experts who criticized the case.

"It's been a political witch hunt, it was damage my reputation so I would lose the election," Trump says, boasting how he got more votes than any Republican and won all seven swing states.

Judge Merchan is calmly watching Trump speak with his hand on his chin.

"I very, very much disagree with what the government just said," Trump attorney Todd Blanche says.

Blanche says Trump has been "fighting" this case to this day, and that they disagree that this was "an appropriate case to be brought."

"It was not," Blanche says.

"We intend on appealing," Blanche confirms.

"Legally this case should not have been brought," Blanche says, with Trump nodding his head in agreement. "The majority of the American people agree that this case should not have been brought."

"Its a sad day for President Trump and his family and his friends. But its also, in Counsel's view, a sad day for this country," he says. "This was brought by a district attorney who promised he would go after President Trump if elected and that's sad."

With Trump attending the hearing virtually from Florida, security is notably light in the lower Manhattan courthouse ahead of today's 9:30 a.m. ET sentencing hearing.

The table where Trump and his lawyers normally sat for the trial last year is empty; instead, Trump will appear on the four flat-screen televisions mounted on the courtroom walls.

There are a few changes to the courtroom itself since Trump's conviction seven months ago. The gallery is fully occupied and so longer subject to the security restrictions that limited its capacity, and the sketch artists are seated in the jury box. The tile floors in the courtroom are glaringly white, appearing to have been cleaned or replaced since the trial last year.