DONALD Trump declared Roger Stone has a "very good chance" of being exonerated - hours after his ally was sentenced to 40 months in prison.

Stone was today convicted of lying to Congress and intimidating a witness, prompting Trump to say his friend had been treated "very unfairly".

12 Stone smiles after he is sentenced to 40 months in prison and a $20K fine Credit: AFP or licensors

12 Trump hinted yet again that Stone may be exonerated Credit: AFP or licensors

12 Stone has been a longtime ally of Trump Credit: Netflix

Stone won't go to prison immediately after the judge allowed him to appeal for a re-trial - but he will have to submit tax returns, pay a $20K fine, and undergo drug tests.

"I'm going to let this process play out," said Trump during his Hope for Prisoners address, three hours after the sentencing.

"We have to straighten it out at the top level," he continued, telling attendees "the people at the top were dirty cops."

"Roger Stone and everybody has to be treated fairly and this has not been a fair process," the president added.

'INSECURE PERSON'

The longtime Trump ally was branded an “insecure person who recklessly pursues attention" by the judge at a Washington courthouse.

He was convicted in November on a seven-count indictment following his arrest in January 2019.

Stone lied to Congress, tampered with a witness and obstructed the House investigation into whether the Trump campaign coordinated with Russia in the 2016 election.

US District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson said Stone's crimes demanded a significant time behind bars.

But she said the seven to nine years originally recommended by the Justice Department were excessive.

Trump previously defended Stone on Twitter despite the difficulties that poses for District Attorney William Barr.

'VERY UNFAIR'

The president blasted the DOJ sentencing recommendation as “horrible," "very unfair" and a "miscarriage of justice!”

Jackson emphasized Stone "was prosecuted for covering up for the president" rather than standing up for Trump.

"There was nothing unfair, phony or disgraceful about the investigation or the prosecution," she said.

A new set of prosecutors, including John Crabb, were at court after the original team resigned in protest.

They had objected to Barr's decision to overrule their recommendation Stone serve at least seven years behind bars.

COVER UP

Jackson said she wasn't sentencing Stone to silence him reports CBS, telling the court "I imagine he'll keep talking."

"What did the defense say to the jury [re Stone's actions]? 'So what? So what?' That alone might be the most pernicious," she said.

Jackson also emphasized the neutrality of the court in her address, saying Stone's behavior should "transcend" both parties.

The federal judge acknowledged Stone's reputation as a "trickster" - but she warned nothing about this sentencing was a joke.

Jackson did not accept Stone's team's defense of "that's just Roger being Roger."

"This is intolerable to the administration of justice," she said. "The court should not sit idly by, shrug its shoulders."

12 Stone smiled as he left the courtroom today Credit: AP:Associated Press

12 Trump Confidant Roger Stone was sentenced to three years and four months behind bars Credit: Getty Images - Getty

COURT ORDERS

Stone violated Jackson's orders not to talk about the case or post on social media.

He posted an image of Jackson on Instagram with - what appeared to be - the crosshairs of a gun over the judge's head.

His lawyers urged the judge to focus on him as a human being rather than his provocative public persona.

Stone's team requested a new trial and asked to delay sentencing but it went ahead as scheduled.

His lawyers insisted today the DOJ's guidelines were too harsh for Stone threatening a witness, Randy Credico.

GUILTY

Attorney Seth Ginsburg defended Stone, who called Credico a "a rat. A stoolie" in a 2018 email, where he also threatened his dog.

"Mr Stone is known for using rough, provocative, hyperbolic language," Ginsburg insisted.

Stone lied to the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee about his attempts to contact WikiLeaks.

The website released damaging emails about Trump's Democratic election rival Hillary Clinton which officials say were stolen by Russian hackers.

Stone was found guilty of lying to Congress and interfering with Credico.

He was found guilty of obstructing the House from investigating whether the Trump campaign coordinated with Russia in the 2016 election.

The charges stemmed from Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation of Russian meddling to boost Trump's candidacy.

'WITCH HUNT'

But Trump claims Stone's entire case is just part of the “witch hunt” against him by Democrats and the “deep state" after his impeachment victory.

He told reporters at Andrews Air Force Base: “I’m actually, I guess, the chief law enforcement officer of the country, but I’ve chosen not to be involved.”

A self-confessed "dirty trickster" and "agent provocateur," Stone's legal team includes a Mafia lawyer who kept the Teflon don's son John Gotti Jr out of prison.

“I haven't given it any thought," Trump said when asked if he would pardon Stone. "But I think he's been treated very unfairly.”

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Trump praised Barr as “a man with great integrity" but said he would continue tweeting because "it gives me a voice."

Barr told ABC News Trump didn't ask him to look into the case but acknowleged his social media activity made it “impossible” for him to do his job.

The president previously tweeted "everything having to do with this fraudulent investigation [into Stone] is badly tainted and, in my opinion, should be thrown out."

Roger Stone has been sentenced to serve a total of 3 years and 4 months in prison. Here is the breakdown of Judge Jackson’s judgement. He will self surrender to BOP but only after his request for a new trial is fully resolved @AmberAliNews @BillRehkopf @CBSNews pic.twitter.com/EEgj8Vr0pV — Clare Hymes (@ClareHymes22) February 20, 2020

12 Stone waves to supporters and protestors alike Credit: Getty Images - Getty

12 Trump has insisted Stone is innocent Credit: Splash News

12 Stone arriving at the Federal District Court for the District of Columbia shortly after 9.30 am today Credit: Getty Images - Getty

12 Trump tweeted his support in the early hours of Thursday morning

12 Trump tweeted his views on the sentencing

12 Stone's wife accompanied him Credit: AFP or licensors