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Tuesday, Dec 16, 2025
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Supreme Court Rejects Trump's Bid to Delay Sentencing in Hush Money Case
President-elect faces legal setbacks as the nation's highest court dismisses his appeal to postpone sentencing related to Stormy Daniels payment.
In a significant legal development, the U.S. Supreme Court has rejected President-elect Donald Trump's emergency request to delay his sentencing in a high-profile hush money case, with a narrow 5-4 decision.
The case centers around Trump's conviction for falsifying business records to conceal a $130,000 payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign.
Trump's bid aimed to secure an automatic stay of his sentencing, arguing presidential immunity and possible disruption to federal governance.
However, Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Amy Coney Barrett joined the court's three liberal justices in denying the request.
Meanwhile, conservative justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, and Brett Kavanaugh expressed support for granting the stay.
Reports indicate that Justice Juan Merchan, who presided over the trial, has stated that a jail term is not being considered for Trump.
In response to the Supreme Court's decision, Trump expressed his displeasure, calling the case a 'disgrace' but acknowledged the decision as 'fair'.
He also criticized Justice Merchan, suggesting political motives, a point his supporters have reiterated throughout the case.
The court's denial of Trump's petition appears to rest on two main grounds: the possibility of addressing his legal concerns during an appeal and the perceived minimal burden of attending sentencing.
Trump's request for the Supreme Court to recognize an immunity for presidents-elect was similarly dismissed, with Manhattan prosecutors emphasizing the public interest in proceeding with the sentencing.
The verdict follows a series of unsuccessful appeals by Trump's legal team at various levels of New York's judiciary.
Initially set for July, Trump's sentencing was postponed multiple times upon request.
Justice Merchan eventually set a definitive January 10 deadline, just days before Trump's inauguration for a second term, heightening legal and political tensions.
The legal document submitted by Trump's attorneys to the Supreme Court argued that proceeding with the sentencing could inflict 'grave injustice' and damage the presidency.
This echoes a previous Supreme Court decision that granted sitting presidents immunity for 'official acts', a precedent quoted by Trump's defense.
However, the Supreme Court found no supporting legal ground for presidential-elect immunity.
Further complicating Trump's legal challenges, a federal appeals court in Georgia ruled against a motion to seal portions of special counsel Jack Smith's report concerning alleged interference in the 2020 election.
This ruling, unrelated but contextually significant, reflects the ongoing legal scrutiny over Trump's previous term.
As Trump prepares to assume office once more, his legal challenges appear to be far from over, with the weight of multiple court proceedings set to influence his return to the political arena.
The case centers around Trump's conviction for falsifying business records to conceal a $130,000 payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign.
Trump's bid aimed to secure an automatic stay of his sentencing, arguing presidential immunity and possible disruption to federal governance.
However, Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Amy Coney Barrett joined the court's three liberal justices in denying the request.
Meanwhile, conservative justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, and Brett Kavanaugh expressed support for granting the stay.
Reports indicate that Justice Juan Merchan, who presided over the trial, has stated that a jail term is not being considered for Trump.
In response to the Supreme Court's decision, Trump expressed his displeasure, calling the case a 'disgrace' but acknowledged the decision as 'fair'.
He also criticized Justice Merchan, suggesting political motives, a point his supporters have reiterated throughout the case.
The court's denial of Trump's petition appears to rest on two main grounds: the possibility of addressing his legal concerns during an appeal and the perceived minimal burden of attending sentencing.
Trump's request for the Supreme Court to recognize an immunity for presidents-elect was similarly dismissed, with Manhattan prosecutors emphasizing the public interest in proceeding with the sentencing.
The verdict follows a series of unsuccessful appeals by Trump's legal team at various levels of New York's judiciary.
Initially set for July, Trump's sentencing was postponed multiple times upon request.
Justice Merchan eventually set a definitive January 10 deadline, just days before Trump's inauguration for a second term, heightening legal and political tensions.
The legal document submitted by Trump's attorneys to the Supreme Court argued that proceeding with the sentencing could inflict 'grave injustice' and damage the presidency.
This echoes a previous Supreme Court decision that granted sitting presidents immunity for 'official acts', a precedent quoted by Trump's defense.
However, the Supreme Court found no supporting legal ground for presidential-elect immunity.
Further complicating Trump's legal challenges, a federal appeals court in Georgia ruled against a motion to seal portions of special counsel Jack Smith's report concerning alleged interference in the 2020 election.
This ruling, unrelated but contextually significant, reflects the ongoing legal scrutiny over Trump's previous term.
As Trump prepares to assume office once more, his legal challenges appear to be far from over, with the weight of multiple court proceedings set to influence his return to the political arena.
