Trump Urges Supreme Court to Halt Hush Money Sentencing Before Taking Office
- The Humor Stop
- Jan 9
- 2 min read
President-elect Donald Trump is requesting the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene and halt his sentencing in a hush money case set for Friday in New York. His legal team filed the request after New York courts declined to delay the sentencing, which will be presided over by Judge Juan M. Merchan.
Judge Merchan had overseen Trump's trial and conviction in May on 34 felony counts for falsifying business records. Trump maintains his innocence in the case.
Trump's attorneys argue that sentencing before he takes office would unjustly restrict his ability to perform his duties as president.
Although Judge Merchan has indicated he is unlikely to impose jail time, fines, or probation, Trump's lawyers assert that a felony conviction could have detrimental effects on his political career.
The legal team is asking for a postponement of the sentencing while Trump appeals the conviction, claiming that proceeding with the sentencing could result in "grave injustice" to the presidency and the functioning of the federal government.
The emergency motion, filed by lawyers John Sauer and Todd Blanche, cites a Supreme Court ruling that grants significant immunity to presidents for actions taken while in office.
Trump’s lawyers contend that the New York court lacks jurisdiction to carry out the sentencing until the appeal concerning presidential immunity is resolved.
Trump's spokesperson has dismissed the case as politically motivated and called for its dismissal. The Manhattan district attorney’s office is expected to file a response to the motion.
Trump's convictions stem from an alleged effort to cover up a $130,000 payment made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels before the 2016 presidential election. Trump denies any sexual encounter with her.
His attorneys reference the Supreme Court immunity ruling from a different case to argue that certain evidence in the hush money trial should have been protected.
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