In a closely watched decision, the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday denied President-elect Donald Trump’s appeal to postpone his sentencing in the New York hush-money case. The sentencing, scheduled for Friday, marks a pivotal moment in the legal challenges facing Trump as he prepares for his second presidential term. NPR Reported
The court’s majority explained that Trump could challenge the verdict through the appeals process, emphasizing that the sentencing itself would place minimal demands on his presidential responsibilities. The trial court, they noted, intends to impose an “unconditional discharge” during a brief virtual proceeding.
Four conservative justices—Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, and Brett Kavanaugh—dissented, advocating for a reprieve.
This ruling closes the door on Trump’s last opportunity to delay the sentencing, which comes less than two weeks before his inauguration. In May, a Manhattan jury found Trump guilty of 34 felony counts for falsifying business records, stemming from a payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels. The conviction is unprecedented, making Trump the first former or incoming U.S. president to be convicted of criminal charges.
Judge Juan Merchan, who presided over the case, has stated that Trump’s sentence will include no prison time, probation, or financial penalties. Instead, the unconditional discharge ensures the conviction will remain on Trump’s record without additional consequences.
Trump’s legal team argued that his status as president-elect shields him from prosecution and sentencing. Citing a prior Supreme Court ruling that granted sitting presidents broad immunity, they claimed the proceedings should be halted to prevent harm to the presidency and the federal government’s operations.
However, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who brought the case, countered that finalizing Trump’s sentencing now respects the integrity of the jury’s verdict. He argued that delaying the process further could lead to years of postponement, potentially extending until Trump’s second term ends.
“Rewarding a defendant for delays caused by their own legal tactics undermines the fairness of the judicial process,” Bragg stated in his filing.
Judge Merchan had previously granted multiple delays in the case to avoid perceptions of political interference and to allow Trump’s legal team to argue for dismissal based on immunity claims. Those arguments were ultimately rejected.
Trump’s attorneys have repeatedly accused Bragg of pursuing the case with political motives and maintained that higher courts, including the Supreme Court, should address the issue of presidential immunity. Trump is expected to attend the sentencing virtually, though he could opt to appear in person.
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The former president had also sought the Supreme Court’s intervention to lift a gag order barring him from publicly discussing the case’s prosecutors and court staff. That appeal was likewise denied.
