In a significant legal development, former President Donald Trump has been denied his attempt to delay sentencing in the hush money case related to payments made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. The ruling comes just days before Trump is set to face sentencing for his conviction on felony charges linked to falsifying business records.
The case revolves around a $130,000 payment made by Trump’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen, to Daniels ahead of the 2016 presidential election. Daniels alleged an affair with Trump, which the former president has denied. Following a lengthy trial, Trump was convicted in May on 34 felony counts of falsifying records to conceal the payment.
Trump’s legal team, led by attorneys Todd Blanche and Emil Bove, had sought to delay the sentencing scheduled for January 10, citing the need to address appeals and arguing that the timing of the sentencing conflicted with the upcoming inauguration. They contended that “presidential immunity violations cannot be ignored” and expressed concern that a rushed sentencing would compromise Trump’s rights.
Justice Juan Merchan, who has overseen the case, ruled that Trump’s motion to delay sentencing was largely a repetition of previous arguments, ultimately dismissing the request. Merchan emphasized that Trump’s legal team had already raised these points in prior filings, and that delaying the sentencing would be improper given the public interest in the case.
The judge set the sentencing for January 10, noting that he did not intend to send Trump to jail. Instead, Merchan indicated that a sentence of unconditional discharge, effectively placing a judgment of guilt on Trump’s record without probation or a fine, would be the most practical approach, considering the ex-president’s forthcoming inauguration.
Prosecutors from the Manhattan District Attorney’s office, led by Alvin Bragg, opposed Trump’s request for a delay, stressing the need for timely criminal proceedings. They pointed out that public interest and the importance of finality in criminal cases weigh heavily against any postponement. The prosecution had also argued that Trump’s claims of presidential immunity were irrelevant in this case, as it concerns his personal conduct, not his actions while in office.
The sentencing marks a crucial moment in the legal saga surrounding Trump, who became the first U.S. president—sitting or former—to be charged and convicted of a crime. Despite Trump’s legal team making multiple attempts to have the case dismissed, Merchan ruled that the jury’s verdict stands, highlighting that the case involves personal actions rather than official duties, and that no special immunity applies to Trump in this instance.
Trump’s ongoing legal battles, including this case, have been a point of contention in both his political career and public perception. His lawyers’ efforts to delay the sentencing have now been definitively rejected, and Trump is set to face the consequences of his actions as scheduled.
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