Donald Trump appeals to the Supreme Court to halt sentencing in his hush money case, citing presidential immunity as the legal battle intensifies.
At a Glance
- Trump seeks Supreme Court intervention to delay sentencing in hush money case
- Trump’s team argues for presidential immunity based on a previous Supreme Court decision
- Judge Merchan plans to proceed with sentencing despite repeated arguments from Trump’s legal team
- Trump was convicted on 34 counts of falsifying business records related to Stormy Daniels payments
- An appeals court recently denied Trump’s request to delay sentencing
Trump’s Last-Minute Appeal to the Supreme Court
President-elect Donald Trump has made a bold move in his ongoing legal battle, appealing to the Supreme Court to prevent Judge Juan Merchan from sentencing him in the Stormy Daniels hush money case. This latest development comes after Trump’s conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records related to payments made to the adult film actress.
The sentencing, initially delayed until after the November election, has been rescheduled for Friday Jan 101th. Trump’s legal team, led by Todd Blanche, is urgently seeking an emergency stay from the Supreme Court, arguing that presidential immunity should apply in this case.
President-elect Donald Trump asked the US Supreme Court to intervene in his hush money criminal case to prevent his Jan. 10 sentencing from going forward. https://t.co/wTTarc4yi1
— Bloomberg (@business) January 8, 2025
The Argument for Presidential Immunity
Trump’s lawyers are basing their appeal on a previous Supreme Court decision regarding presidential immunity. They argue that allowing the sentencing to proceed would cause irreparable harm to the presidency and federal government operations.
The legal team claims that evidence presented during the trial included official acts, such as meetings and statements made while Trump was in office. They contend that these actions should be protected under presidential immunity, potentially leading to a case dismissal.
Judge Merchan’s Stance and Potential Sentencing
Despite Trump’s criticism and legal maneuvering, Judge Merchan has indicated he might not impose jail time or a fine. This unusual decision not to suggest a jail sentence sets this case apart in terms of judicial recommendations. However, the judge plans to proceed with sentencing, dismissing repeated arguments from Trump’s legal team.
Judge Merchan has ruled that the trial evidence related to unofficial conduct, not official presidential actions. This determination could significantly impact the outcome of Trump’s appeal and the potential application of presidential immunity.
Implications for Trump’s Political Future
The stakes in this legal battle are high for Trump. If sentenced, he would become the first president to be a convicted felon upon re-taking office. As the Supreme Court considers Trump’s emergency request, the nation watches closely. The outcome of this appeal could have far-reaching consequences for the interpretation of presidential immunity and the balance of power between the executive branch and the judiciary. The court ordered prosecutors to respond by Thursday morning Jan 9th.
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Trump goes to the Supreme Court in last gasp attempt to stop his hush money sentencing
