A New York judge has scheduled Donald Trump’s sentencing in the hush money case for January 10, just 10 days before his presidential inauguration. Judge Juan Merchan signaled he is unlikely to impose jail time, leaning instead towards an unconditional discharge. This would make Trump the first U.S. president to take office as a convicted felon, following his conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records in connection with a hush money payment to Stormy Daniels during the 2016 election campaign.
Merchan, in an 18-page ruling, dismissed motions from Trump’s legal team seeking to overturn the conviction. While Trump’s lawyers argued for dismissal based on presidential immunity, Merchan noted that such immunity would only apply once Trump is sworn in. “It is incumbent upon this Court to impose sentence before January 20, 2025,” Merchan stated, ensuring legal closure before Trump’s return to the White House.
The conviction stems from allegations that Trump orchestrated a $130,000 payment to Daniels to silence claims of a 2006 affair. Prosecutors argued the payment was unlawfully concealed through falsified business records. Despite the conviction, prosecutors and the judge deemed a prison sentence impractical.
Trump also faces legal challenges in other cases, including federal investigations into his handling of classified documents and alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election. However, longstanding Justice Department policy prevents the prosecution of sitting presidents, effectively pausing those cases during his presidency. In Georgia, Trump faces racketeering charges over attempts to subvert the 2020 election, though that case is expected to stall while he serves as president.
