Donald Trump’s New York judge criminal hush money case He said on Friday that he intends to sentence the subject to “unconditional imprisonment”, respecting the doctrine of presidential immunity.
Judge Juan Merchan ordered Trump to appear, in person or virtually, on January 10, which is 10 days before Trump’s inauguration.
Merchan, in his ruling on Friday, said that an unconditional dismissal is “the most viable solution to ensure finality and allow the accused to pursue his appeals.”
Trump faces up to four years in prison for his conviction, though most legal experts believe he is more likely to receive a lighter sentence.
Trump’s legal team is expected to try to block the Jan. 10 ruling, sources familiar with the matter told ABC News. His lawyers plan to ask an intermediate appeals court in New York to step in and move the trial case forward, the sources said.
Trump spokesman Steven Cheung, in a statement, called Merchan’s ruling “a direct violation of the Supreme Court’s Immunity decision and other longstanding case law.”
“President Trump should be allowed to continue the Presidential Transition process and carry out the essential duties of the presidency unhindered by this or the vestiges of the Witch Hunt. There should be no judgment,” the statement said.
Republican presidential candidate, former President Donald Trump looks on during a panel discussion with faith leaders at Christ Chapel, October 23, 2024, in Zebulon, Georgia.
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images, FILE
The Manhattan district attorney’s office that secured the conviction against Trump did not respond to ABC News’ request for comment.
It was Trump found guilty Last May, adult film actress Stormy Daniels was charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records related to payments made to boost her 2016 presidential election chances.
Merchan, in his ruling, described Trump’s behavior as a “prior and ongoing deception of the leader of the free world.”
“To vacate this judgment given the charge that the charges are considered insufficiently serious, and which is about to be re-taken, would be a disproportionate result and would cause immeasurable damage to the public’s confidence in the Rule of Law,” the ruling. he said
Merchan said he could not determine Trump’s sentence without hearing from Trump himself and others in the case, and expressed his intention to sentence Trump to an unconditional release, under which Trump would avoid serious penalties but the record of his conviction would remain on his record. .
Trump’s lawyers have long fought to overturn the ruling, which was delayed three times after the Supreme Court. broad judgment presidential immunity and a heated presidential campaign.
Merchan had originally scheduled the sentencing for July 11, before extending it to September 18 to consider whether Trump’s conviction was affected by a July ruling that bars a president from being prosecuted for official acts while in office. Merchan then ruled that Trump’s conviction was related to “totally unofficial behavior“and “does not risk encroaching on the authority and function of the Executive branch.”
Merchan wrote that an unconditional discharge would respect the sanctity of the jury verdict — which he called “a foundational principle in our nation’s jurisprudence” — and the principle of presidential immunity.
“Since this Court, as a matter of law, should not make a decision on sentencing before giving the parties and the defendant an opportunity to be heard, it seems appropriate at this time to disclose the Court’s inclination not to impose a sentence of imprisonment. The sentence authorized by the conviction, but the People acknowledge that it no longer views it as a practical recommendation. “, says the verdict.
“Therefore, in balancing the aforementioned considerations with the concerns underlying the doctrine of Presidential immunity, a judgment of unconditional dismissal appears to be the most feasible solution to ensure finality and allow defendants to pursue their appellate options,” Merchan wrote.
Merchan’s ruling criticized Trump and his lawyers — several of whom will take top positions at the Justice Department — for using “rhetoric that has no place in the allegations.”
“Dangerous rhetoric is not a welcome form of argument and will not affect how the Court renders this or any other decision,” Merchan wrote.
The judge also criticized Trump for having “contempt” for the judiciary.
“The defendant’s contempt for the third branch of government, whether state or federal, in New York or elsewhere, is a matter of public record. Indeed, the defendant has gone to great lengths to spread his disrespect for judges, juries, grand juries on social media and other forums. and the justice system in general,” says the judgment.
The jury’s verdict last summer made Trump the first US president, current or former, to be criminally convicted.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
