US Supreme Court Denies Trump’s Bid To Block Hush Money Sentencing

The United States Supreme Court has rejected an emergency request by President-elect Donald Trump to halt his sentencing in a hush money case.

In a 5-4 decision on Thursday, the court, which includes three Trump-appointed justices, ruled that the sentencing would proceed as scheduled on Friday.

The brief unsigned order stated that the sentencing’s burden on Trump’s duties as president-elect was “relatively insubstantial,” especially since he could attend the hearing virtually.

According to AFP, Judge Juan Merchan, who presided over the case, had previously indicated plans to impose an “unconditional discharge,” meaning Trump would face no jail time, fines, or probation.

Trump, 78, was convicted in May on 34 counts of falsifying business records linked to hush money payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels.

He is the first former president to be convicted of a crime and the first convicted felon set to serve in the White House, with his inauguration scheduled for January 20.

Following the Supreme Court’s decision, Trump took to Truth Social, expressing gratitude to the court for attempting to “remedy the injustice” and accusing Judge Merchan of being “highly political and corrupt.”

He maintained his innocence, calling the charges “fake” and vowed to continue appealing his conviction.

Trump’s legal team argued that the sentencing would be a “grave injustice” and sought to extend immunity typically granted to sitting presidents to president-elects.

However, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg dismissed this claim, asserting that Trump was a private citizen at the time of his charges and conviction.

“Defendant makes the unprecedented claim that the temporary presidential immunity he will possess in the future fully immunizes him now, weeks before he even takes the oath of office,” Bragg argued, adding that the Supreme Court has no jurisdiction over a state court’s proceedings.

The court’s majority, including Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Amy Coney Barrett, joined three liberal justices in rejecting Trump’s plea, while four conservatives—Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, and Brett Kavanaugh—supported his request.

Judge Merchan has allowed Trump to attend the sentencing virtually and reiterated his inclination towards an unconditional discharge.

Trump’s certification as the winner of the 2024 presidential election earlier this week marked his political comeback, four years after the Capitol riots that followed his 2020 loss.

Despite this legal setback, Trump remains poised to assume the presidency for a second term.