US President-elect Donald Trump’s legal team is seeking to pause the upcoming sentencing in his hush money case as they appeal recent rulings upholding the verdict. The case, which revolves around 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to a payment made to porn actor Stormy Daniels, has taken a significant turn as Trump approaches his second term. Trump’s lawyers have filed court papers stating their intention to appeal Judge Juan M Merchan’s decision to set the sentencing for Friday, just days before Trump is set to be sworn in for his second term.
Trump’s Appeal for a Halt in Sentencing
In a pair of rulings, Judge Merchan rejected Trump’s attempts to dismiss the indictment based on presidential immunity and his impending return to the White House. Despite the judge signaling that Trump may not face punishment for the convictions, Trump’s legal team is adamant about halting the sentencing process. They argue that their planned appeal triggers an automatic stay in the proceedings, or if not, they request a pause from Judge Merchan to prevent the sentencing from occurring as scheduled.
The President’s Defense
Trump’s spokesperson, Steven Cheung, cited the Supreme Court’s decision on immunity and other legal precedents to justify their move to stop the sentencing. The defense team believes that dismissing the case is necessary to uphold the state constitution of New York and protect Trump from what they refer to as a “meritless hoax.”
Implications of the Case
If the sentencing proceeds, Trump will have the opportunity to speak, along with his lawyers and prosecutors, before appealing the verdict. The case marks a historic moment as Trump could become the first president to take office with a felony conviction. The charges against him relate to an alleged scheme to conceal a hush money payment made to Stormy Daniels during the 2016 campaign.
Expert Opinion
Michael Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer and a key witness in the case, expressed support for Judge Merchan’s decision to sentence Trump without punishment. Cohen, who had previously advocated for Trump’s imprisonment, deemed the judge’s ruling as judicious and appropriate given the circumstances.
As the legal battle unfolds, the fate of Trump’s sentencing hangs in the balance, with implications that could reshape the course of his presidency. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.