NEW YORK CITY, USA – The judge presiding over the hush money case against President-elect Donald Trump denied his request to dismiss the case on Friday, January 3, 2025, setting sentencing for January 10, just ten days before Trump’s inauguration as the 47th president of the United States.
Judge Juan Merchan ruled that Trump, convicted in May of falsifying business records related to a 2016 hush money payment, could appear for sentencing either in person or virtually.
He also confirmed that no jail time would be imposed.
“A sentence of an unconditional discharge appears to be the most viable solution to ensure finality and allow Defendant to pursue his appellate options,” Merchan wrote.
This sentence would allow the conviction to stand without imposing fines, incarceration, or probation.
Conviction Stands Amid Dismissal Bid
Trump was convicted of 34 counts of falsifying business records to conceal payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign.
Prosecutors argued the payments were part of a conspiracy to promote Trump’s election through unlawful means.
Judge Merchan rejected Trump’s bid to vacate the verdict, writing:
“Here, 12 jurors unanimously found Defendant guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records with the intent to defraud, which included an intent to commit or conceal a conspiracy to promote a presidential election by unlawful means.”
Merchan added, “To vacate this verdict on the grounds that the charges are insufficiently serious given the position Defendant once held, and is about to assume again, would constitute a disproportionate result and cause immeasurable damage to the citizenry’s confidence in the Rule of Law.”
Political Fallout and Trump’s Response
Trump took to Truth Social on Friday night to lambast the ruling, calling the case a “Rigged Charade” and accusing the judge of engaging in a politically motivated attack.
“This illegitimate political attack is nothing but a Rigged Charade,” Trump wrote, adding that the decision “would be the end of the Presidency as we know it.”
Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for Trump, described the ruling as “a direct violation of the Supreme Court’s Immunity decision and other longstanding jurisprudence.”
He vowed that Trump would continue fighting the charges.
“There should be no sentencing, and President Trump will continue fighting against these hoaxes until they are all dead,” Cheung said.
Timing of Sentencing
The January 10 sentencing date is just days before Trump’s inauguration, raising questions about the optics and logistics of sentencing a president-elect.
Judge Merchan acknowledged these complexities, noting the possibility of postponing sentencing until after Trump’s term ends if necessary.
“If the Court is unable to impose sentence before Defendant takes his oath of office, then this may become the only viable option,” Merchan wrote, though he described such a delay as “less desirable.”
Legal Background and Delays
The sentencing has been delayed multiple times at the request of Trump’s legal team, initially due to a Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity and later because of his election victory.
Trump’s lawyers have argued that as president-elect, he is protected by immunity, a claim Merchan rejected last month.
The Manhattan District Attorney’s office, which prosecuted the case, declined to comment on Friday’s ruling.
Looking Ahead
With sentencing now scheduled, Trump’s legal battles are poised to take centre stage even as he prepares to assume office.
While Judge Merchan’s ruling eliminates the possibility of jail time, Trump’s conviction could carry significant political and legal implications during his presidency.
