A New York Supreme Court judge has ordered that President-elect Donald Trump must report for sentencing on January 10, 2025, in connection with his 34 felony convictions related to the hush-money case. The ruling, issued by Justice Juan Merchan, rejects multiple requests from Trump’s legal team to delay or dismiss the sentencing. In his 18-page decision, the judge addressed the defense’s argument that a president-elect should be immune from criminal proceedings, clarifying that presidential immunity only applies to sitting presidents, not those who have been elected but have not yet taken office.
Justice Merchan sharply criticized Trump’s actions throughout the legal proceedings, noting his ongoing disdain for the judiciary and the legal process. The judge pointed out that Trump’s history of publicly undermining the justice system was a factor in rejecting his requests for dismissal. Merchan emphasized that Trump’s behavior, including his attacks on judges and juries, weighed against his efforts to avoid accountability for his convictions.
Trump’s legal team had argued that the sentencing should be postponed due to his victory in the 2024 presidential election. They suggested that the proceedings should be paused or terminated, but the judge rejected these claims. Merchan noted that Trump had consented to a delay in sentencing until after the election and had always expected to be required to face sentencing during the period between the election and his inauguration. The judge made it clear that Trump’s election win did not alter the legal proceedings or prevent the sentencing from taking place.
Despite this firm stance, Justice Merchan indicated that Trump would likely not face any prison time. The judge expressed an inclination not to impose a sentence of incarceration, noting that the prosecution no longer viewed it as a practical recommendation. Merchan also suggested that an “unconditional discharge” could be a possible outcome, which would mean no further legal consequences for Trump, allowing him to exhaust his appellate rights.
Trump’s legal team had sought various ways to delay or end the case, including attempts to challenge the legitimacy of the charges. However, the judge rejected these motions, stating that the evidence against Trump was clear. Merchan emphasized that the convictions were based on a deliberate and ongoing effort by Trump to deceive the public, particularly in relation to his presidential campaign.
The judge also took issue with Trump’s continued attacks on the court and the legal system. Despite rulings rejecting his claims of bias and conflict of interest against Justice Merchan, Trump and his lawyers persisted in making these allegations. Merchan expressed concern that such actions could undermine public confidence in the judicial system and warned that the repeated, baseless claims made by Trump’s legal team had the potential to create a chilling effect on the judiciary.
In addition to these criticisms, the judge acknowledged the professionalism of both the prosecution and the defense throughout the case, but he also noted instances where Trump’s legal team had crossed the line into rhetoric that was inappropriate for legal proceedings. Merchan highlighted the potential dangers of using inflammatory language in legal filings, warning that it could harm the integrity of the legal process.
As the case progresses, Trump will face sentencing in the coming days, with his legal team continuing to pursue avenues for appeal. However, the judge’s ruling underscores the seriousness of the convictions and the determination to hold Trump accountable, regardless of his political status.
