Hush money case: Trump’s conviction to be sentenced before swearing-in

Trump, convicted of 34 counts related to hush money to Stormy Daniels, faces up to 4 years in prison.

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A New York judge presiding over President-elect Donald Trump’s hush money case set the sentencing for January 10, just 10 days before his inauguration.

Judge Juan Merchan, in a ruling issued on Friday, indicated he was unlikely to impose a jail sentence, favoring an unconditional discharge instead.

Trump, convicted in May of 34 counts related to falsifying business records for a hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election, faces a potential sentence of up to four years in prison.

Despite the legal implications, Judge Merchan emphasized that both prosecutors and the court found jail time to be an impractical recommendation. Trump has signaled intentions to appeal the ruling, which could delay sentencing further.

Legal experts had not expected the judge to sentence the former president to jail, and Merchan’s decision reaffirms this stance. Instead of incarceration, the judge leaned toward an unconditional discharge, which would see Trump enter the White House as a convicted felon but without jail time.

Trump’s attorneys had sought to have the case dismissed on various grounds, including the Supreme Court's ruling last year, which grants former presidents broad immunity from prosecution for actions taken while in office.

Merchan rejected this argument, pointing out that Trump would be immune from prosecution once sworn in as president. He noted that presidential immunity would likely attach after January 20, 2025, when Trump takes the oath of office, but that the court must proceed with sentencing before that date.

Trump denounced the ruling, taking to his platform, Truth Social, where he called the case an “illegitimate political attack” and labeled Judge Merchan a “radical partisan.” He further described the decision as “knowingly unlawful” and warned that it would end the presidency as we know it.

Trump’s spokesman, Steven Cheung, also condemned the court’s actions, claiming that the case violated Supreme Court jurisprudence and asserting that it should have been dismissed.

Trump is also facing other significant legal challenges, including two federal cases brought by special counsel Jack Smith. These cases involve accusations that Trump sought to overturn the results of the 2020 election and mishandled top-secret documents after leaving the White House.

 However, both cases were dropped due to a long-standing Justice Department policy that prevents the prosecution of sitting presidents. Additionally, Trump is facing racketeering charges in Georgia over efforts to alter the 2020 election results in the state. However, this case will likely be put on hold if he assumes the presidency once again.

As Trump moves forward with his legal battles, this case represents a crucial juncture for his political and legal future. Although the court's inclination appears to favor a non-incarceration sentence, Trump’s appeal and the complexities surrounding his presidency may delay or alter the outcomes of his legal proceedings.

The eventual resolution of these cases will have significant implications, both for Trump personally and for the broader political landscape, especially as he prepares to return to the White House.