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President-Elect Trump to Be Sentenced January 10 in Hush Money Case
President-elect Donald Trump will be sentenced on January 10 following his conviction on charges related to hush money payments made to adult film actor Stormy Daniels. Justice Juan Merchan stated that Trump, who is unlikely to face jail time, can appear at the sentencing in person or virtually.
No Jail Time Likely
The judge indicated that an “unconditional discharge“—no custody, monetary fines, or probation—is the most appropriate sentence. This decision comes after a Manhattan jury convicted Trump in May of falsifying business records to hide the payment made before the 2016 election. Trump has denied the allegations and called the case politically motivated.
Appeal Expected Following Sentencing
Trump has signaled his intent to appeal the verdict. The sentencing will take place just 10 days before his January 20 inauguration, a scenario unprecedented in U.S. history.
Efforts to Dismiss the Case Rejected
Justice Merchan denied Trump’s motion to dismiss the case, rejecting arguments that it would hinder his ability to govern. The judge emphasized that setting aside the jury’s verdict would “undermine the Rule of Law.”
Merchan also criticized Trump’s public attacks on the judicial system, citing repeated violations of court orders and contempt charges during the trial.
Charges and Legal Context
Trump was found guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records related to a $130,000 payment made by his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, to Stormy Daniels. The case is unrelated to Trump’s official presidential actions, and thus the prosecution does not violate presidential immunity.
Delays and Scheduling Decisions
Initially scheduled for July 2024, the sentencing was postponed several times, with the final date set for January 10, 2025. Trump’s defense had requested further delays until after his term in office, but the judge deemed this alternative less desirable.
Other Legal Cases Against Trump
In addition to the hush money case, Trump faced charges in three other state and federal cases in 2023, including one related to classified documents and two concerning efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. After his victory in the November election, federal prosecutors dropped two of these cases.
The state case in Georgia, involving Trump’s alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election results there, remains unresolved.