A judge has scheduled Donald Trump‘s sentencing for 10 January in connection with his hush-money case in New York, just under two weeks before his anticipated swearing-in as president.
Justice Juan Merchan of New York said he would not impose jail time, probation, or a fine on Trump. Instead, he plans to grant an “unconditional discharge.” In his order, he noted that the president-elect can attend the hearing in person or virtually.
Trump sought to leverage his presidential election victory to have the case against him dismissed.
The president-elect took to social media to reject the judge’s order, labeling it an “illegitimate political attack” and describing the case as “nothing but a rigged charade.”
In May, Trump faced conviction on 34 felony counts for falsifying business records, a case linked to a $130,000 (£105,000) payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels.
The allegations involve efforts to conceal payments made to his former attorney, Michael Cohen, who, in the closing days of the 2016 election campaign, compensated an adult film actress to keep quiet regarding an alleged sexual encounter with Trump.
The president-elect has refuted any misconduct allegations and pleaded not guilty, contending that the case represents a strategic effort to undermine his 2024 presidential campaign.
On Saturday, Trump took to his Truth Social platform to express his views on the judge’s sentencing order, stating that it “goes against our Constitution and, if allowed to stand, would be the end of the Presidency as we know it.”
Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for Trump, previously described the order as a component of a “witch hunt.”
“President Trump should be permitted to carry on with the presidential transition process and fulfill the essential responsibilities of the presidency, without interference from the remnants of this or any previous investigations,” Cheung stated.
“There should be no sentencing, and President Trump plans to persist in his battle against these alleged hoaxes until they are completely dismantled.”
In a recent legal maneuver, Trump contended that the ongoing case would overshadow his presidency and hinder his capacity to govern effectively.
Justice Merchan indicated that he had received recommendations for various measures to alleviate Trump’s worries regarding distractions from a criminal case during his presidency, which did not involve the “extreme remedy” of overturning the jury’s verdict.
The options presented were postponing the sentencing until Trump, 78, vacates the White House in 2029 or ensuring a sentence that excludes incarceration.
Trump initially contended, albeit without success, that the case against him violated a Supreme Court ruling concerning presidential immunity.
In July, the nation’s highest court determined that presidents enjoy extensive immunity from criminal prosecution concerning “official actions” undertaken during their tenure in office.
Last month, Justice Merchan upheld the validity of Trump’s hush money conviction.
Donald Trump is poised to become the first individual with a felony conviction to occupy the White House.
Following the sentencing, he will likely seek an appeal against the conviction.
In the United States, falsifying business records carries a potential penalty of up to four years. However, it is essential to note that there is no mandated minimum sentence, and incarceration is not necessarily a requirement in such cases.
Before his election win, legal analysts expressed skepticism about the likelihood of Trump serving jail time, considering both his age and his history with the law.
Trump faces charges in three additional state and federal criminal cases: one concerning classified documents and two linked to his purported attempts to reverse the outcome of the 2020 election.
The president-elect’s sentencing, initially set for 26 November, has been postponed by Justice Merchan following Trump’s victory in the presidential election.
