New York Judge Juan Merchan has denied to delay the sentencing of President-elect Donald Trump in the New York “hush money” case. The sentencing is scheduled for Friday, January 10, just ten days before Trump is set to return to the White House.
In his ruling, Judge Merchan stated, “This Court has considered Defendant’s arguments in support of his motion and finds that they are, for the most part, a repetition of the arguments he has raised numerous times in the past, including in his Criminal Procedure Law (‘CPL’) § 330.30(1) motion to vacate his conviction and dismiss the indictment; and his ‘Clayton Motion’ to dismiss in the interests of justice, both of which this Court denied by Decision and Order dated December 16, 2024, and January 3, 2025, respectively.”
The judge further explained that the legal arguments presented by Trump’s team were largely irrelevant to the case. “This Court finds that the authorities relied upon in the instant motion by the Defendant are, for the most part, factually distinguishable from the actual record or legally inapplicable,” the ruling continued.
Trump’s legal team now has the option to appeal Judge Merchan’s decision in a higher court.
Last week, Trump grilled the judge’s actions, describing them as a direct attack on the presidency. “If the judge’s decision is allowed to stand, it would be the end of the Presidency as we know it,” Trump warned.
“This illegitimate political attack is nothing but a Rigged Charade. ‘Acting’ Justice Merchan, who is a radical partisan, just issued another order that is knowingly unlawful, goes against our Constitution and, if allowed to stand, would be the end of the Presidency as we know it,” Trump said.
Trump also criticized the gag order imposed by Judge Merchan, which limits his ability to discuss the case publicly. “Merchan has so little respect for the Constitution that he is keeping in place an illegal gag order on me, your President and President-Elect, just so I cannot expose his and his family’s disqualifying and illegal conflicts. I am the only Political Opponent in American History not allowed to defend myself – A despicable First Amendment Violation!”
Background of the Case
Trump was convicted in May on 34 counts of falsifying business records. The charges stem from a $130,000 payment made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels in 2016 to ensure her silence about an alleged affair with Trump in 2006. Trump has consistently denied Daniels’ claims and maintains that the charges are politically motivated.
Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for Trump, emphasized the impact of the case on the presidential transition. “President Trump must be allowed to continue the Presidential Transition process and to execute the vital duties of the presidency, unobstructed by the remains of this or any remnants of the Witch Hunts,” Cheung stated.
Trump’s legal troubles mark an unprecedented moment in U.S. history as he becomes the first former president to face criminal charges after leaving office. As the January 10 sentencing approaches, the case continues to cast a shadow over the political landscape.
