US Supreme Court, in a narrow 5-4 decision, denied President-elect Donald Trump’s last-minute effort to delay his sentencing in the New York hush money case. The decision sets the stage for an extraordinary moment as Trump faces a court date just ten days before his second inauguration.
Judge Juan Merchan has made it clear that he does not intend to impose a jail term, but the sentencing will still mark a significant moment. Trump will become the first president to take office with a criminal conviction etched into his record. This juxtaposition of being a convicted defendant and the incoming president underscores the unprecedented nature of Trump’s journey.
While Trump will not physically attend the hearing, instead participating virtually from his Florida residence, the event will still resonate with historic implications. The Supreme Court’s decision, with Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Amy Coney Barrett siding with the liberal justices, reflects a rare defeat for Trump’s strategy of using legal delays to his advantage.
Had the ruling gone in Trump’s favor, it could have fueled criticism that the court was enabling his attempts to evade accountability. However, this decision offers a modicum of reassurance to those who feared the court’s conservative majority might unduly favor Trump. Despite this, concerns persist about how the court might handle future challenges during Trump’s second term.
Following the ruling, Trump expressed his dissatisfaction, attacking both the decision and Judge Merchan. “We’re going to appeal anyway, just psychologically, because frankly it’s a disgrace. It’s a judge that shouldn’t have been on the case,” he stated at Mar-a-Lago. “So I’ll do my little thing tomorrow, they can have fun with their political opponent… this is a long way from finished.”
Trump, convicted in May on 34 counts of falsifying business records related to a $130,000 hush payment to adult-film star Stormy Daniels, has consistently denied any wrongdoing or affair. His lawyers argued that sentencing during the transition would disrupt his responsibilities, but the court found no substantial burden.
In a surprising legal twist, two of Trump’s lawyers who filed the Supreme Court appeal have been appointed to significant roles in his upcoming administration. Todd Blanche will serve as Deputy Attorney General, and D. John Sauer will be the Solicitor General.
Despite the conviction, Trump remains defiant, suggesting the case is politically motivated and vowing to continue his legal battles. “I respect the court’s opinion… but they invited the appeal and the appeal is on the bigger issue. So, we’ll see how it works out,” he remarked at a dinner with Republican governors.
Adding to his legal woes, Trump lost another case on Thursday when a federal appeals court allowed the Justice Department to release special counsel Jack Smith’s final investigative report, potentially setting the stage for more Supreme Court involvement.
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