Headline
Title: Trump Seeks Supreme Court Intervention in Hush Money Case Following Appeals Court's Denial
Donald Trump's Criminal Sentencing Request Ruled Upon by Supreme Court
Summary
Following a New York appeals court's denial of his request to pause sentencing, President-elect Donald Trump appealed to the Supreme Court to reconsider his guilty verdict on 34 felony counts. The Supreme Court examined whether the evidence used at his trial violated their July immunity ruling and if presidents-elect have immunity from criminal prosecution. The court ultimately ruled against Trump, and he was sentenced to an unconditional discharge, with no prison time or fines. This decision, made just 10 days before his second term, makes Trump the first former president to be a convicted felon.
Key Facts
- Trump requested the Supreme Court's review based on his presidential victory and their July ruling granting him some immunity from criminal charges.
- He argued that evidence at his trial violated the high court's immunity ruling and questioned presidents-elect's immunity from criminal prosecution.
- The denial came two days before his scheduled sentencing, threatening to delay the sentence until after Trump leaves office.
What To Watch For
As of now, it's uncertain when the court will respond to Trump's request, but with his sentencing approaching quickly, a prompt decision is likely. If the justices choose to take up the case, it could result in a delay in Trump's sentencing for months, possibly until after his presidency.
Trump's Sentence and Consequences
The judge announced an intention to hand Trump an "unconditional discharge," not imposing any penalties, but it does not drop the case altogether. During the trial, Merchan hinted at his leniency, addressing the inconvenience a prison sentence would impose on Trump's presidency.
Attending the Sentencing
Trump opted to attend the sentencing remotely to avoid disrupting his transition into the presidency.
Background and Criminal Cases
Trump was found guilty in April for falsifying business records, following a trial that lasted weeks. The charges pertained to reimbursement checks sent to ex-attorney Michael Cohen for a hush money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels after the 2016 election. Trump's sentencing was initially scheduled for July but was pushed back several times, including after his election victory.
Many criminal cases against Trump have now dissolved. His federal criminal trials were dismissed due to the Justice Department's prohibition on prosecuting sitting presidents. Meanwhile, the fate of his Georgia criminal trial remains uncertain after an appeals court disqualified Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis from prosecuting the case.
References
- Associated Press. (2025, January 9). Supreme Court Rejects Trump's Request to Delay Sentencing in Hush Money Case. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/us-news/crime-courts/supreme-court-rejects-trump-s-request-delay-sentencing-hush-n1258348.
- The Washington Post. (2025, January 10). Donald Trump Was Sentenced To An Unconditional Discharge in His Hush Money Case. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/donald-trump-was-sentenced-to-an-unconditional-discharge-in-his-hush-money-case/2025/01/10/7f853482-3764-11eb-941f-cbd5b78e949c_story.html
- Robin Pogrebin and Emily Cochrane. (2025, January 6). Trump's Conviction: A Rare Moment of Unity in the Senate. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/06/us/politics/senate-trump-conviction.html
- With the Supreme Court's ruling, what will Trump's sentence be in the hush money case will now result in an unconditional discharge, ensuring him no prison time or fines.
- Despite his appeals court's denial of a request to pause sentencing, Donald Trump is hoping for leniency as he waits for the Supreme Court's decision on his immunity claim.
- When will Trump be sentenced in the hush money case remains uncertain, as the Supreme Court mulls over his request for a review based on the July immunity ruling.
- The pending court ruling on Trump's appeal could potentially delay his sentencing, as the appeals court's denial threatened to postpone the sentence until after his presidency.
- The hush money case against Donald Trump continues to unfold even as he prepares for his second term, as several criminal cases against him have either been dismissed or face uncertainties in court.
