Donald Trump seeks Supreme Court intervention to delay sentencing in hush money case, citing presidential immunity and potential disruptions to government operations.
At a Glance
- Trump appeals to Supreme Court to halt sentencing in Stormy Daniels hush money case
- Trump’s legal team argues for presidential immunity based on a recent Supreme Court decision
- Sentencing rescheduled for Friday after initial delay until after November election
- Judge Merchan indicated he might not impose jail time or a fine despite Trump’s criticism
- Trump could become the first president to be a convicted felon upon taking office
Trump’s Legal Challenge to Sentencing
President-elect Donald Trump has taken his legal battle to the highest court in the land, appealing to the Supreme Court to prevent Judge Juan Merchan from sentencing him in the Stormy Daniels hush money case. This move comes after Trump’s conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records, a charge that has kept him in the spotlight and raised questions about the legal boundaries of presidential conduct.
Trump’s legal team, led by attorney Todd Blanche, is pushing for an emergency stay, emphasizing arguments of presidential immunity. They are urging the Supreme Court to halt proceedings, claiming it is necessary “to prevent grave injustice and harm to the institution of the Presidency and the operations of the federal government.” This appeal follows a recent decision by an appeals court to deny Trump’s request to delay sentencing.
President-elect Donald Trump asked the US Supreme Court to intervene in his hush money criminal case to prevent his Jan. 10 sentencing from going forward. https://t.co/wTTarc4yi1
— Bloomberg (@business) January 8, 2025
Sentencing Details and Judicial Stance
Initially, the sentencing was delayed until after the November election. However, it has now been rescheduled for Friday Jan 10th, putting additional pressure on Trump’s legal team. Despite the former president’s criticism of Judge Merchan, there are indications that the judge might not impose jail time or a fine.
Judge Merchan has maintained his stance on proceeding with the sentencing, dismissing repeated arguments from Trump’s legal team. In a previous ruling, Merchan stated that the trial evidence related to unofficial conduct, not official presidential actions.
Implications of the Case
The outcome of this legal battle could have far-reaching consequences. If the conviction stands, Trump could become the first president to be a convicted felon upon taking office. The Supreme Court’s previous ruling that presidents have immunity from prosecution for official acts is at the center of Trump’s legal strategy. His team claims that evidence presented during the trial included official acts, such as meetings and statements made while in office, which they argue should be protected under this immunity. The court ordered prosecutors to respond by Thursday morning Jan 9th.
Sources:
Trump goes to the Supreme Court in last gasp attempt to stop his hush money sentencing
