On Tuesday afternoon, a New York appeals court judge, Ellen Gesmer, denied Donald Trump’s request to delay his hush money sentencing. This decision came after Trump’s legal team asked for a postponement while he appealed his conviction.
Trump was hoping to stop the sentencing, which is scheduled for Friday, in hopes of having more time to fight his conviction. However, the court ruled that his request was not justified.
Background of the Case
In May, Trump was convicted on 34 counts of falsifying business records for paying hush money to adult-film star Stormy Daniels. This payment was intended to prevent her from speaking out about an alleged affair with Trump before the 2016 presidential election.
Trump denied the affair, but the conviction stands. The case revolves around the $130,000 paid to Daniels through Trump’s lawyer, Michael Cohen, to keep the story quiet.
The Court’s Ruling
Trump’s lawyer, Todd Blanche, argued that Trump’s position as the president-elect meant that he should be protected from prosecution under the presidential immunity rule. This argument was based on a Supreme Court decision made in July regarding presidential immunity.
However, the judge ruled that there is no precedent for such immunity to extend to a president-elect. The judge also pointed out that delaying the sentencing was not necessary, as it would only take a short time.
The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, led by Steven Wu, disagreed with Trump’s legal team. Wu argued that Trump’s lawyers had not provided any evidence to suggest that the one-hour sentencing hearing would interfere with his duties as president-elect.
He also emphasized that this case needed to be resolved soon, as it would be more difficult to arrange a sentencing once Trump is in office.
Trump’s Next Steps
Although the court has denied Trump’s request, he may still file further appeals in hopes of delaying the sentencing. His legal team has already contested the decision of trial judge Juan Merchan, who scheduled the sentencing for Friday.
Trump’s team claims that the appeals court should review the arguments related to presidential immunity before any action is taken. The outcome of this case could have a significant impact on Trump’s political future and legal standing.
What Happens Next?
If the appeals court does not rule in favor of Trump, his sentencing will proceed on Friday. Trump’s legal team has argued that he should not face sentencing before all his appeals are heard.
However, the court’s decision to move forward with the sentencing suggests that they do not find these arguments convincing enough to delay the process.
Conclusion
The appeals court’s decision is a significant moment in the ongoing legal battle involving Donald Trump. Despite his request for delay, the court is pushing forward with his sentencing, scheduled for Friday.
Whether Trump’s legal team will be able to further delay proceedings remains uncertain, but the court’s message is clear—delays in this case are not warranted.
FAQs
1. What is the hush money case about?
The hush money case involves a $130,000 payment made to adult-film star Stormy Daniels by Donald Trump’s lawyer, Michael Cohen, to prevent her from discussing an alleged affair before the 2016 election.
2. Why did Trump want to delay his sentencing?
Trump requested a delay because he was appealing his conviction and believed that presidential immunity should protect him from sentencing as president-elect.
3. What did the New York appeals court decide?
The court denied Trump’s request to delay his sentencing, stating there was no legal basis to postpone the proceedings.
4. Can Trump appeal the court’s decision again?
Yes, Trump can continue to file appeals, but the court has already ruled that there is no reason to delay the sentencing.
5. When is Trump’s sentencing scheduled?
Trump’s sentencing is scheduled for Friday, despite his request for a delay.
