Donald Trump’s last effort to delay his hush money sentencing has been denied by an appeals court, setting the stage for his upcoming court date.
New York: An appeals court judge has turned down Donald Trump’s final attempt to delay his sentencing hearing in the hush money case. This means he’s still on track for court this week.
Trump has been trying hard to keep his record clean as he aims for the White House again. But with his recent legal setbacks, he’s about to make history as the first president with a criminal conviction.
After a quick hearing with his lawyers and the Manhattan prosecutors, the judge issued a one-page denial. So, Trump’s sentencing is still set for January 10, just ten days before his inauguration.
Justice Juan Merchan is expected to give Trump an “unconditional discharge,” which means no jail time, probation, or fines. This would let Trump keep appealing while respecting the jury’s decision.
Trump’s lawyers argued that the judge shouldn’t have set a sentencing date while they’re still fighting over whether he has presidential immunity. But the judge didn’t seem convinced.
Justice Ellen Gesmer pointed out that this case isn’t about presidential immunity but rather about a president-elect’s immunity. She asked Trump’s lawyer if there’s any precedent for that, and he had to admit there isn’t.
Gesmer also made it clear that the conviction is about actions outside the official duties of a president. The hush money case revolves around Trump’s efforts to silence adult film star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 campaign.
Trump’s payments to his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, were falsely labeled as “legal expenses” in the records. A jury found him guilty on all counts of falsifying business records back in May.
Gesmer dismissed comparisons between this case and other federal charges against Trump, which haven’t even gone to trial yet. She noted that the sentencing could wrap up before he takes office.
