President-elect Trump has been ordered to appear for sentencing in the phony hush money case on January 10th.
This from therightscoop.com.
Trump’s legal team is expected to appeal the decision to try to get it halted on the basis of the Supreme Court’s immunity decision.
From ABC News:
The judge in Donald Trump’s New York criminal hush money case indicated Friday that he intends to sentence the president-elect to an ‘unconditional discharge’ out of respect for the presidential immunity doctrine.
Judge Juan Merchan ordered Trump to appear, either in person or virtually, for sentencing on Jan. 10, which is 10 days before Trump’s presidential inauguration.
Merchan, in his ruling Friday, called an unconditional discharge the ‘most viable solution to ensure finality and allow Defendant to pursue his appellate options.’
Trump faces the possibility of up to four years in prison for his conviction, though most legal experts believe he is more likely to receive a lighter sentence.
Trump’s legal team is expected to try to stop the Jan. 10 sentencing, sources familiar with the matter tell ABC News. His lawyers intend to ask an intermediate New York appellate court to intervene and stop the sentencing hearing from going forward, the sources said.
Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung, in a statement, called Merchan’s ruling ‘a direct violation of the Supreme Court’s Immunity decision and other longstanding jurisprudence.’
‘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,’ the statement said.
This really is outrageous. The case should have never been filed and there is no way Trump can serve any time because he is about to be president.
What I suspect he is going to do is give Trump a massive fine, just like the other outrageous New York case. I hope his legal team is able to stop this from happening.
UPDATE: Jonathan Tuley weighs in…
Judge Merchan just set Trump for a sentencing shortly before his inauguration. As some of us predicted, he is indicating that he will impose an unconditional discharge without jail or probation…
— Jonathan Turley (@JonathanTurley) January 3, 2025
…The sentence will finalize the case and allow for an appeal. However, it would also label the President-elect a convicted felon just before he is sworn into office. It is the final cathartic act for lawfare warriors…
— Jonathan Turley (@JonathanTurley) January 3, 2025
…we will also finally be able to see an appeal of his case. While there are low expectations for the New York court system, the sentencing will allow the full array of alleged errors by Merchan to be placed before appellate judges.
— Jonathan Turley (@JonathanTurley) January 3, 2025
God speed to President Trump.
