The US Supreme Court has declined Donald Trump’s request to delay his sentencing in the hush-money case, confirming that the hearing will proceed as scheduled on Friday. The former president-elect had sought to overturn the decision of New York courts, arguing that the sentencing posed undue distractions ahead of his upcoming inauguration.
Judge Juan Merchan, who oversaw Trump’s conviction on 34 felony counts in May, had previously indicated that he would not impose jail time, fines, or probation. Instead, Trump is likely to receive an unconditional discharge, leaving the felony conviction on his record but sparing him further punishment. Despite this, Trump’s legal team expressed concerns about the impact on his responsibilities as president-elect.
Following the Supreme Court’s decision, Trump announced plans to appeal, citing the need to uphold the sanctity of the presidency. Meanwhile, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg emphasized the seriousness of the case, which stemmed from falsifying business records to conceal an illegal payment during Trump’s 2016 campaign. This landmark ruling cements Trump’s status as the first US president to face a criminal conviction.