President-elect Donald Trump has made a high-stakes appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, requesting a delay in his sentencing for the New York hush-money case, currently scheduled for January 10—just ten days before his inauguration. Convicted last May on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, Trump faces fallout from the $130,000 payment made to Stormy Daniels during the 2016 campaign.
Trump’s legal team argues that sentencing before January 20 would cause “grave injustice” and jeopardize federal governance during his transition to the presidency. The emergency motion, submitted by attorneys John Sauer and Todd Blanche, contends that the New York trial court lacks jurisdiction to impose a sentence while Trump’s appeal is ongoing.
The motion also invokes Supreme Court precedent on presidential immunity, asserting that evidence used in the case—such as White House aides’ testimony—should have been shielded. However, Judge Juan Merchan ruled that the evidence pertains to personal matters, not official acts, weakening the immunity defense.
Although Merchan has indicated that sentencing won’t include jail time, fines, or probation, Trump’s lawyers stress the symbolic and practical consequences of a felony conviction. The case’s timing has added fuel to allegations of political motivation, with Trump spokesman Steven Cheung calling for its dismissal.
The Supreme Court, with Justice Sonia Sotomayor overseeing New York appeals, will determine whether to grant Trump’s request. A decision to delay could set the stage for a prolonged legal battle, potentially extending into his presidency.
As January 20 nears, the intersection of legal proceedings and political implications continues to captivate the nation, leaving the Supreme Court’s response pivotal in shaping this high-profile case’s trajectory.
