Donald Trump to Face Sentencing in New York Hush Money Case
President-elect Donald Trump is poised to be sentenced on Jan. 10 in his New York hush money case after a judge denied his appeal to have the matter tossed.
Trump contends that the case itself and his upcoming sentencing infringe upon his constitutional rights, as the Daily Mail reports.
The controversy stems from accusations of Trump falsifying business records linked to a $130,000 payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels, purportedly to silence her during his 2016 presidential campaign.
Convicted in May, he faced charges across 34 counts, which he has insisted are baseless and politically motivated.
Justice Juan Merchan, who presided over the case, has scheduled Trump’s sentencing hearing, offering him the choice to attend in person or virtually. Despite the gravity of the convictions, Merchan hinted that incarceration is unlikely to be ordered and that he is considering an unconditional discharge.
Trump Criticizes Judge As Biased
Trump has unleashed a barrage of criticism against Justice Merchan, particularly through posts on his social platform, Truth Social.
He labeled Merchan a "radical partisan" and accused the judge of issuing a "completely illegal, psychotic order."
The former president alleges that Merchan maintains an illegal gag order against him, restricting his ability to speak freely about the case. Trump claims this order is a direct assault on his, and by extension, Americans' constitutional rights.
His frustrations did not end there, as Trump suggested Merchan’s decisions were influenced by personal vendettas and undisclosed conflicts of interest.
He has called for an investigation into Merchan, equating the proceedings to "lawfare" intended to sabotage his political standing.
Presidential Immunity Unsuccessfully Invoked
Trump’s lawyers have fiercely contested the legitimacy of the case, invoking a U.S. Supreme Court decision they argue grants him immunity in this case due to the prerogatives of presidential office.
This argument centers around the idea that such legal battles could unduly interfere with his duties as president and that evidenced used to secure the convictions was wrongly admitted.
However, Judge Merchan dismissed these claims. He refuted that the evidence presented against Trump amounted to more than adequate grounds for the verdict, suggesting any errors in procedure were minor and did not influence the ultimate judgment.
Merchan’s decision detailed that even if there were disputes over evidence classifications, these were not significant enough to warrant a dismissal of the case. He maintained that the massive evidence of guilt overshadowed any procedural errors that might have occurred.
Trump’s Stance Intensifies in Wake of Conviction
Following his conviction, Trump has heightened his rhetoric, portraying himself as a victim of a politically driven witch hunt aimed at undermining his political comeback. "This has to stop! It is time to end the Lawfare once and for all, so we can come together as one Nation," he stated, reincarnating his "MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN" slogan.
Referring to Justice Merchan and other authorities involved in his previous legal challenges, Trump accused them of harboring greater corruption than special counsel Jack Smith, whom he dismissively mentioned had retreated to The Hague after waging unsuccessful legal battles against him.
Looking forward, Merchan’s pronouncements at that on sentencing day will not only decide Trump’s immediate fate but potentially set a significant precedent for how legal challenges involving former and future U.S. Presidents are adjudicated.
With the nation watching, the outcomes of this case could echo through the echelons of U.S. political and legal systems for years to come.