Updated Story: Judge Denies Trump Request to Delay Sentencing \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ President-elect Donald Trump is set to be sentenced this week in his hush money case after a Manhattan judge denied his request to halt proceedings during an appeal. Despite attempts to postpone sentencing until after his inauguration, Judge Juan M. Merchan upheld the historic conviction. Trump’s legal team argues the case violates constitutional protections, but sentencing is scheduled for Friday.
Trump Sentencing: Updated Story and Quick Looks
- Sentencing Scheduled: President-elect Donald Trump will be sentenced Friday after his appeal delay was denied.
- Judge’s Ruling: Manhattan Judge Juan M. Merchan upheld Trump’s conviction and refused further postponements.
- Historic Moment: Trump is poised to take office as the first president convicted of a crime.
- Defense Pushback: Trump’s legal team argues presidential immunity and plans to appeal further.
- Hush Money Case: Conviction stems from falsifying records tied to a payment to Stormy Daniels.
- No Immediate Punishment: Sentencing may involve an unconditional discharge, avoiding jail or fines.
Deep Look
President-elect Donald Trump is set to be sentenced this week in a historic hush money case, following Manhattan Judge Juan M. Merchan’s decision to deny further delays in the proceedings. Despite Trump’s legal team pushing to pause sentencing indefinitely while appealing the conviction, the court ruled that justice required moving forward. Sentencing is scheduled for Friday, less than a week before Trump’s inauguration as the first U.S. president to take office with a criminal conviction.
Legal Proceedings So Far
The charges against Trump stem from an alleged scheme to silence adult film actress Stormy Daniels in the weeks leading up to the 2016 election. Daniels claimed she had an affair with Trump, which he denies. The case focuses on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records tied to how Trump reimbursed his then-lawyer Michael Cohen for a $130,000 payment to Daniels.
Prosecutors argued that Trump concealed the payment to avoid negative press during the election, labeling it a deliberate effort to violate campaign finance laws. Trump maintains his innocence, calling the case a politically motivated “witch hunt.”
The conviction carries potential penalties ranging from probation or fines to a maximum of four years in prison. However, Judge Merchan indicated that sentencing Trump with an unconditional discharge—closing the case without any punishment—would likely be the most viable outcome, given his status as the incoming president.
Judge Merchan’s Decision
Judge Merchan rejected Trump’s request to delay sentencing while an appeal is underway, citing the need to bring the case to a conclusion before Trump assumes office on January 20. He noted that any further delay could leave the matter unresolved until Trump leaves office in 2029, given the Justice Department’s stance that a sitting president is immune from prosecution.
“The interests of justice would only be served by bringing finality to this matter,” Merchan wrote in his decision.
Trump’s legal team argued that allowing the case to proceed violates the Constitution, referencing a 2023 Supreme Court ruling that expanded presidential immunity protections. Defense lawyers Todd Blanche and Emil Bove have criticized the case as a “meritless hoax” fueled by legal errors, vowing to escalate the matter to higher courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court if necessary.
Appeal and Delays
Trump’s lawyers filed an appeal Monday, seeking to reverse the conviction. They also argued that sentencing should be paused automatically during the appeals process or that Judge Merchan should intervene to halt proceedings—a request he denied.
Prosecutors opposed the delay, accusing Trump of deliberately postponing sentencing to coincide with his presidential transition. Originally scheduled for July 2023, sentencing has already been postponed multiple times at Trump’s request.
“He should not now be heard to complain of harm from delays he caused,” prosecutors wrote in a court filing.
Merchan ultimately sided with prosecutors, ordering sentencing to proceed as planned on Friday. He noted the public’s strong interest in timely justice and the finality of criminal cases, especially those involving prominent figures.
Potential Impacts of Sentencing
Trump’s legal team warned that sentencing the president-elect could create significant complications. If sentencing proceeds, Trump will face the unprecedented challenge of appealing his conviction while in office. They raised concerns that this could result in years of ongoing legal battles and even a potential retrial during his presidency if the conviction is overturned.
Despite these arguments, Merchan appeared determined to resolve the case, signaling that any legal recourse Trump seeks should occur after sentencing. Trump’s ability to appeal the conviction will only activate once he has been formally sentenced.
Trump’s Reaction
Trump took to his Truth Social platform to criticize the court’s decision, declaring that upholding the verdict “would be the end of the Presidency as we know it.” His spokesperson, Steven Cheung, described the case as a politically motivated “witch hunt” by the Manhattan District Attorney and vowed to fight it in court.
“The Supreme Court’s historic decision on immunity, the state constitution of New York, and other established legal precedent mandate that this meritless hoax be immediately dismissed,” Cheung said.
Stormy Daniels and Cohen’s Role
At the center of the case is Michael Cohen, Trump’s former personal attorney and fixer, who facilitated the payment to Daniels. Cohen turned key prosecution witness, testifying about the reimbursement scheme and accusing Trump of falsifying business records to conceal the payment.
Cohen expressed approval of Merchan’s decision to sentence Trump without punishment, calling it “both judicious and appropriate” given the circumstances. Daniels, meanwhile, has consistently asserted that her allegations against Trump are true, though he continues to deny them.
Broader Context and Historic Implications
This case marks an unprecedented moment in U.S. history, with a president-elect facing criminal sentencing just days before taking office. Legal experts suggest the situation raises critical questions about the intersection of law and executive power, particularly regarding presidential immunity from prosecution.
The Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel maintains that sitting presidents cannot face criminal proceedings, a stance that complicates the potential timeline for appeals or retrials. If sentencing is delayed beyond January 20, legal experts believe the case would likely remain dormant until Trump leaves office in 2029.
Prosecutors emphasized that resolving the case now is essential for maintaining public trust in the justice system. They also warned against setting a precedent where prominent individuals could evade accountability through delays and appeals.
What’s Next?
Sentencing is scheduled to take place Friday, with Trump’s lawyers indicating he will appear via video rather than in person due to the demands of his presidential transition. Trump will have an opportunity to speak during the hearing, as will his defense team and prosecutors.
If sentenced with an unconditional discharge, the case would close without penalties, though Trump’s conviction would stand. However, his legal battles are far from over. Appeals could extend well into his presidency, potentially creating further political and legal challenges.
For now, the court’s focus remains on bringing finality to a case that has already become one of the most significant legal and political dramas in U.S. history.
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