New York – A New York appeals court judge has denied President-elect Donald Trump’s request to postpone his sentencing in the hush-money case scheduled for Friday.
The decision follows Trump’s conviction in May on 34 counts of falsifying business records related to payments made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels.
Associate Justice Ellen Gesmer dismissed arguments from Trump’s legal team that the sentencing should be delayed while he appeals his conviction. Trump’s attorneys had also contended that the immunity granted to sitting presidents should extend to a president-elect, a claim Gesmer rejected.
“After consideration of the papers submitted and the extensive oral argument, movant’s application for an interim stay is denied,” Justice Gesmer stated.
Trump’s legal team can still appeal Gesmer’s ruling to the full appellate court or escalate the matter to the Supreme Court.
Sentencing Details
Judge Juan Merchan, who presided over the case, has given Trump the option to attend Friday’s sentencing either in person or virtually. Merchan has indicated he is unlikely to impose jail time. Instead, he is leaning toward an unconditional discharge, which would spare Trump from incarceration or any other conditions. However, Trump would enter his upcoming presidential term as a convicted felon.
Despite facing a potential maximum sentence of four years in prison, legal experts had anticipated that Merchan would avoid imposing jail time even before Trump’s victory in the November presidential election.
Trump’s Reaction
Trump criticized Judge Merchan during a press conference on Tuesday, calling him a “crooked judge” and condemning the gag order issued in the case.
The conviction stems from allegations that Trump falsified business records to conceal a $130,000 payment made to Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign to prevent her from disclosing an alleged 2006 sexual encounter.
Presidential Transition
Trump was certified as the winner of the 2024 presidential election on Monday, four years after his supporters stormed the US Capitol in an attempt to overturn his 2020 defeat. He is set to be sworn in as president on January 20.
Judge Merchan, in a recent 18-page ruling, rejected efforts by Trump’s attorneys to dismiss the case, including their arguments citing the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision on presidential immunity. Merchan noted that Trump would be immune from prosecution for this case once he assumes office but affirmed the validity of the current proceedings.
Join our Channel...