Trump’s Request for Sentencing Delay Denied by Judge Merchan in Hush Money Case [WATCH]

New York Judge Juan Merchan rejected a motion from President-elect Donald Trump’s legal team on Monday to delay sentencing in his hush money case.

The sentencing remains scheduled for this Friday, January 10, just ten days before Trump is set to be sworn in as the 47th President of the United States.

Trump’s legal team had also filed a motion to dismiss the case entirely, arguing that the president-elect’s victory in the 2024 election, along with the dismissal of other pending cases against him, justified the case’s termination.

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However, Merchan declined to dismiss the case, stating that the legal arguments presented were largely repetitive.

“This Court has considered Defendant’s arguments in support of his motion and finds that they are for the most part, a repetition of the arguments he has raised numerous times in the past,” Merchan wrote in his decision.

The case centers on Trump’s conviction last year on 34 counts of falsifying business records related to a 2016 payment made by his former attorney, Michael Cohen.

The payment, described as “hush money,” was allegedly intended to suppress damaging information during Trump’s initial presidential campaign.

Merchan has indicated that he is unlikely to impose any jail time at sentencing, though the conviction itself remains significant.

Trump is now the first individual convicted of a felony to win the presidency, adding to the historic and contentious nature of his political career.

Despite the setback, Trump has vowed to appeal the verdict, continuing his legal battle even as he prepares to take office.

His legal team argues that the case is politically motivated and should not have proceeded following his electoral victory.

The sentencing date’s proximity to Trump’s inauguration has drawn widespread attention, with legal experts and political commentators debating its implications.

Critics of the prosecution argue that pursuing sentencing so close to the inauguration could overshadow the transition of power, while supporters maintain that no individual, regardless of political position, should be above the law.

Legal Experts Slam Judge Merchan’s Timing of Trump Sentencing

Former U.S. Attorney Joe diGenova and former Justice Department official Victoria Toensing have raised concerns about the legal and political implications surrounding the ongoing case against President-elect Donald… pic.twitter.com/NHyatw9u8x

— RVM News (@redvoicenews) January 7, 2025

The case and its timing have further highlighted the legal and political challenges Trump faces as he prepares to assume office.

While other pending cases against the president-elect have been dropped, this conviction has remained a focal point of controversy.

Judge Merchan’s decision underscores the independence of the judicial process, even amid the backdrop of a historic presidential transition.

Trump’s upcoming sentencing marks another chapter in a legal saga that has run parallel to his political career and presidency.

As the Friday sentencing date approaches, all eyes remain on the outcome and its potential ramifications for Trump’s presidency.

The case adds a new dimension to an already unprecedented political era, setting the stage for continued legal and political battles in the months ahead.

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