President-elect Donald Trump faces sentencing in the New York criminal hush money case just ten days before his inauguration as the 47th President of the United States. Judge Juan Merchan, who presided over the Manhattan trial, denied Trump’s motion to overturn his conviction, rejecting his argument that the Supreme Court’s recent presidential immunity ruling nullified the verdict.
The case centers on allegations that Trump falsified business records related to hush money payments. Brought by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office under Alvin Bragg, the charges resulted in Trump’s conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree after a six-week trial. Trump’s legal team had sought to dismiss the case, citing the Supreme Court’s immunity decision, which affirms substantial protections for former presidents regarding official acts performed while in office.
However, Judge Merchan ruled that the charges against Trump were tied to his private conduct and thus not covered by immunity protections.
“The evidence and charges presented are connected to Mr. Trump’s unofficial actions, which are not shielded by the Supreme Court’s ruling on presidential immunity,” Merchan stated in his decision.
The sentencing is scheduled for January 10 at 9:30 a.m., where Trump has the option to appear either in person or virtually. While Merchan clarified that he does not intend to impose incarceration, he suggested an “unconditional discharge,” meaning Trump would face no additional penalties.
This decision has drawn sharp criticism from Trump’s spokesperson and incoming White House Communications Director, Steven Cheung, who described the case as a “direct violation of the Supreme Court’s immunity decision.”
“This lawless case should have never been brought,” Cheung said. “The Constitution demands that it be immediately dismissed. President Trump will continue fighting against these hoaxes until they are all dead.”
The case stems from an investigation that began under former Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance and was later pursued by Alvin Bragg. Prosecutors alleged that Trump falsified business records to cover up hush money payments made during the 2016 presidential campaign. Despite pleading not guilty and denying the charges throughout the trial, the jury found Trump guilty on all counts.
Trump’s attorneys have maintained that the charges were politically motivated, aimed at undermining Trump’s return to the presidency following his November 2024 election victory. In their July motion to overturn the conviction, they argued that the Supreme Court’s immunity decision should apply, asserting that evidence related to Trump’s “official acts” should have been inadmissible.
“Wrongly continuing proceedings in this failed lawfare case disrupts President Trump’s transition efforts and his preparations to wield the full Article II executive power authorized by the Constitution,” the legal team argued.
They also pointed to Department of Justice guidelines that prohibit federal indictment of a sitting president, suggesting that the case’s timing and persistence were part of a politically charged agenda.
The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office has pushed back against these claims, asserting that the charges and evidence are firmly rooted in Trump’s private actions. Bragg had initially proposed delaying proceedings until the conclusion of Trump’s second term, but Trump’s attorneys rejected this suggestion.
While Judge Merchan reviews additional motions filed by Trump’s defense team, the sentencing remains on schedule. Steven Cheung emphasized the distraction the case poses to Trump’s transition efforts, stating that it hinders preparations for his upcoming inauguration.
The timing of the sentencing, so close to Trump’s return to the presidency, has sparked intense debate about the intersection of politics and the judiciary. Supporters argue that the case demonstrates accountability for all individuals, regardless of status, while critics see it as a politically motivated effort to undermine Trump’s presidency.
As the nation awaits the January 10 sentencing, the case underscores the complexities of holding a former president accountable while navigating the political fallout. Trump’s legal battles and his impending inauguration set the stage for a tumultuous start to his second term.
Regardless of the outcome, the case has amplified discussions about presidential immunity, the politicization of the legal system, and the challenges of balancing justice with political transitions. As Trump prepares to take the oath of office on January 20, the nation will continue to grapple with the implications of this unprecedented legal drama.
That Communist Judge Murchan has no authority to over rule the Supreme Court, will somebody assassinate that fuc*ing POS.!
He doesn’t deserve to rule on anything. He has no idea what the Constitution states period.!
The Supreme Court ruling is the law and not him.
This asshole judge and scumbag Bragg are going to get the colonoscopy of their lives when Trumps administration starts investigations on these to f-ck wads. Hope they both have good attorneys because they are going to need them. And it’s not going to be funded by taxpayers money so I hope they have a lot of money under the mattress.
The NYC lawfare is all a bunch of bull crap! Only a corrupt Judge and Corrupt DA would have taken such a stupid case and try to make it something illegally that its not. Its should get thrown out on its ear along with Braggs and Merchan!! Such little men should have no power to hold fake made up cases over a Presidents head!! Shame Shame for NY such a corrupt City.
Looks like crunch or crushing time for Merchan and Bragg has arrived! Let the Cockroach removal commence.
Alvin Bragg Can Definitely Effect Foggy, Groundless, Hypocritic
Ideologies Justifying Knowledgeable Measures Nothing Of
Practical Quality, Really, Since Terrifyingly Unverified
Validations Would (E) Xpediently Yield Zero.
Translation of the ABC summary: Alvin ultimately bragged about his choreographed claims and hopes no one connects the projection of his own
criminal intents.
Good. Now they’ll have to allow the appeals to start after sentencing. When the public see just how corrupt the NY state’s judicial system really is, they’ll finally bring out the pitchforks and torches.
Flamethrowers too!
Think they’ll investigate Merchan’s daughter for the $Ms she was paid by the DNC for “advice”?
Basically she was selling judicial favor for her old man the Big Guy like POS Evil Punk Hunter did for his Old man America’s Man of Perdition Lying Biden!
THE MERCHANTS OF MENACE…
Your outrage is commendable but what all of you fail to see is the fact that lower New Yorkers love the corrupt judge & pos DA. Remember, a NY jury found Trump guilty of these horse sh!t charges so to think that there will be any type of retribution from the public in that cesspool of a city is laughable.
In a perfect world both the corrupt judge & DA would be hung by the neck and left in the courtyard for all to witness what happens when officials abuse their powers for political gain.
The only genuine retribution that all will face (final judgment) is from the one who has the eternal power and glory, “I AM WHO I AM.”
Matthew 7:19-21 “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20So then, by their fruit you will recognize them. 21Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven.”
Matthew 7:15-17 “Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16By their fruit you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.”
In Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen.
Revelation 21:8 A fiery Lake of sulfur is waiting……liars, witches…….will be their second death.
Teresa S Braun; thank you for mentioning this because I tell you I can’t understand how more humans aren’t scared each day carrying on as they do because its been spelled out clearly what happens to those who mock God and this life is so short and eternity it no end so we should want to be good all the time so as to end up in the best place!
Proverbs 9:9-11 “Instruct a wise man, and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man, and he will increase his learning. 10The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. 11For through wisdom your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life.”
Galatians 6:6-8 “Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word must share in all good things with his instructor. 7Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return. 8The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.”
Amen.
Everyone truly gets what they deserve!
This clown of a judge and that da apparently are cocky enough to be so high and mighty not to be concerned that they are going to pay severely for their wicked and evil injustices that they place upon others backs!
* Typo eternity it’s no end