A New York judge has denied President-elect Donald Trump’s request to postpone his sentencing scheduled for this Friday in connection with a criminal hush money case. The ruling comes as Trump prepares for his upcoming inauguration on January 20, when he is set to begin his second nonconsecutive term in the White House.
Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan rejected Trump's legal team's arguments that the sentencing should be automatically stayed pending their appeal of recent court decisions. The prosecutor's motion, presented on Monday, emphasized that Merchan has expressed his intent to impose the lowest possible sentence authorized by law, stating that Trump would "suffer no prejudice from the conclusion" of the case.
Trump, who was convicted in May on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to a 2016 payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels, faces significant legal challenges. His lawyers have indicated that if he wants to avoid the sentencing proceedings, he would need to secure a stay from an appeals court.
The Manhattan District Attorney's Office previously urged Judge Merchan to deny Trump's request for a delay, citing "strong public interest in prompt prosecution and the finality of criminal proceedings." This sentiment underscores the urgency surrounding the case, particularly following the jury's guilty verdict.
In his ruling, Judge Merchan noted that Trump’s arguments were largely repetitive of previous claims made in court. He stated, "This Court has considered Defendant's arguments in support of his motion and finds that they are for the most part, a repetition of the arguments he has raised numerous times in the past." Additionally, he highlighted that the authorities relied upon by Trump’s defense were either factually distinguishable or legally inapplicable.
Trump's spokesperson, Steven Cheung, criticized the ruling, asserting that the case should be dismissed based on a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision regarding presidential immunity. Cheung stated, "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." He further described the legal actions against Trump as part of a "Witch Hunt."
Judge Merchan has indicated that he is not inclined to impose jail time in this case and suggested a sentence that would exclude both probation and fines. This development highlights the legal complexities surrounding Trump's situation as he navigates his transition back into presidential office while grappling with serious legal ramifications from his past actions.
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