Donald Trump seeks Supreme Court intervention to halt sentencing in hush money case, citing presidential immunity.
At a Glance
- Trump appeals to Supreme Court to stop sentencing in Stormy Daniels hush money case
- Convicted on 34 counts of falsifying business records, Trump claims presidential immunity
- Judge Merchan indicated no jail time, but Trump’s team argues for case dismissal
- Sentencing rescheduled for Friday after previous delay until after November election
- Trump could become first president to be a convicted felon upon taking office
Trump’s Legal Team Mounts Supreme Court Appeal
In a bold move, President-elect Donald Trump’s legal team has appealed to the Supreme Court, seeking an emergency stay on his sentencing in the high-profile hush money case involving adult film actress Stormy Daniels. This appeal comes after Trump was convicted on 34 counts of falsifying business records, a verdict that has sent shockwaves through the political landscape.
The legal maneuver, spearheaded by Trump’s attorney Todd Blanche, argues for presidential immunity based on a previous Supreme Court decision. The team contends that proceeding with sentencing could cause irreparable harm to the presidency and federal government operations.
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
Sentencing Details and Judicial Stance
Initially, the sentencing was postponed until after the November election. However, it has now been rescheduled for Friday Jan 10th, prompting this urgent appeal. Despite the gravity of the charges, Judge Juan Merchan has indicated he might not impose jail time or a fine, a decision that has raised eyebrows given Trump’s vocal criticism of the judge.
Judge Merchan has dismissed repeated arguments from Trump’s legal team, stating his intention to proceed with sentencing. The judge ruled that the trial evidence related to unofficial conduct, not official presidential actions, a key point of contention for Trump’s defense.
Implications and Political Ramifications
The stakes in this legal battle are immense. If sentenced, Trump could become the first president in U.S. history to be a convicted felon upon taking office. Trump’s legal team argues that evidence presented during the trial included official acts, such as meetings and statements made while in office. They contend that this blurs the line between personal and official conduct, reinforcing their claim for presidential immunity. The Supreme Court’s previous ruling that presidents have immunity from prosecution for official acts adds another layer of complexity to this case.
The Road Ahead
All eyes are on the Supreme Court. Their decision will not only impact Trump’s immediate legal future but could also set a precedent for how former presidents are held accountable for actions taken before and during their time in office.
As the nation awaits the Supreme Court’s decision, the case continues to highlight the complex interplay between politics and justice in America. The court ordered prosecutors to respond by Thursday morning Jan 9th.
Sources:
Trump goes to the Supreme Court in last gasp attempt to stop his hush money sentencing
