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Former President Donald Trump is scheduled to be sentenced next week in the Manhattan District Attorney’s hush money case.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Former President Donald Trump will be sentenced on January 10, days before his scheduled inauguration, in the Manhattan District Attorney’s high-profile hush money case. Judge Juan Merchan, presiding over the case, ruled on Friday that the Presidential immunity doctrine does not preclude the sentence, a decision likely to draw intense scrutiny.
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“This court finds that neither the vacatur of the jury’s verdicts nor dismissal of the indictment are required by the Presidential immunity doctrine, the Presidential Transition Act or the Supremacy Clause,” Merchan wrote in his ruling.
While Trump will not serve time behind bars, the court permitted him to appear virtually for the sentencing. The case stems from allegations that Trump orchestrated a $130,000 “hush money” payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels, whose legal name is Stephanie Clifford, through his former attorney Michael Cohen in the final days of the 2016 election to suppress stories about an alleged affair. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office argued that the payments were falsely recorded as legal fees, constituting fraud under New York law.
According to CBS News, the upcoming court proceeding will mark a historic moment, as it involves the sentencing of a former president-elect just before returning to office. The conviction included 34 felony counts, which a jury upheld in April.
Justice Merchan’s decision concludes months of legal maneuvering. Trump’s defense team had filed motions to dismiss the case, citing Presidential immunity, but these arguments were rejected by the court. A previous effort to overturn the conviction on the same grounds had also been denied after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that sitting presidents are immune from prosecution for official acts, but Trump’s alleged actions occurred before taking office.
Trump has consistently denied the allegations and attacked the judicial process. Last month, he took to Truth Social, calling Merchan’s decision “a completely illegal, psychotic order,” accusing the judge of disrespecting the Supreme Court and ignoring constitutional principles. “This illegitimate case is nothing but a Rigged Hoax,” Trump posted, adding that the judge’s actions threatened the integrity of the presidency.
The legal battles have played out against the backdrop of Trump’s political resurgence. Despite the conviction, his campaign continues to gain momentum as he prepares to assume office once more. Judge Merchan, meanwhile, faces criticism from Trump allies for allegedly favoring the prosecution in what they describe as a politically motivated trial.
Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg, who brought the charges, emphasized the importance of upholding accountability. “No one is above the law, regardless of their position,” Bragg said in a recent statement.
The sentencing will take place virtually, with Trump expected to deliver remarks remotely. Whether the case will have a lasting impact on his presidency or political ambitions remains to be seen.
Trump Team Denounces New York Judge for Rejecting Dismissal in Hush Money Case
President-elect Donald Trump’s legal team issued a scathing response Friday after New York Justice Juan Merchan rejected a motion to dismiss the hush money case brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. The case, centered on allegations of fraudulent business records related to a $130,000 hush money payment, is set for sentencing on January 10, days before Trump’s scheduled inauguration.
Trump’s communications director, Steven Cheung, denounced the ruling in a sharply worded statement, accusing Merchan of flouting constitutional protections. “Today’s order by the deeply conflicted, Acting Justice Merchan in the Manhattan [District Attorney] Witch Hunt is a direct violation of the Supreme Court’s Immunity decision and other longstanding jurisprudence,” Cheung said.
The defense argued that Trump’s position as President-elect should shield him from legal proceedings under the Constitution. Cheung described the case as a “lawless” attempt to obstruct Trump’s presidential transition.
“This lawless case should have never been brought, and the Constitution demands that it be immediately dismissed,” Cheung continued. “President Trump must be allowed to continue the Presidential Transition process and to execute the vital duties of the presidency, unobstructed by the remains of this or any remnants of the Witch Hunts. There should be no sentencing, and President Trump will continue fighting against these hoaxes until they are all dead.”
