Trump’s hush money sentencing upheld; Supreme Court next step

NY court permits Trump’s hush money sentencing; Supreme Court intervention likely as appeals continue amid presidential transition preparations.

New York’s highest court has allowed the sentencing of Donald Trump in his hush money case to proceed, without intervention.

The sentencing is set for this Friday, with the New York Court of Appeals issuing a brief order that did not entertain a hearing for Trump’s legal team.

In response, Trump has sought intervention from the U.S. Supreme Court to halt the sentencing. His legal representatives filed an appeal to the Supreme Court after lower courts denied requests for postponement by Judge Juan M. Merchan, who led Trump’s trial and conviction last May on 34 felony counts relating to business record falsification.

The case revolves around Trump’s alleged attempt to hide a $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels, which Trump has consistently denied.

Trump’s lawyers argued that constitutional provisions warrant pausing the sentencing during the appeal process, asserting it could hinder Trump’s preparations for his potential return to the White House on January 20.

Prosecutors refuted this claim, stating that there is no valid reason for the Supreme Court to intervene in a state matter concerning an already postponed sentencing.

They insisted on the importance of proceeding, arguing that Trump has not shown how his duties would conflict with attending a brief sentencing.

Judge Merchan has communicated that no jail time, fines, or probation will be imposed, yet Trump’s legal team maintains that the felony conviction will have significant implications.