Donald Trump, who was recently elected as the 47th President of the United States, is facing a court order to appear for sentencing next week. This stems from his 34 felony convictions in a New York City hush-money case, and the judge overseeing the matter, Justice Juan Merchan, is not holding back.
In a detailed 18-page ruling, Judge Merchan firmly denied the many legal arguments Trump’s team put forward to avoid sentencing. One of their main points was that, as President-elect, Trump should be immune from criminal proceedings. The judge shut that down, explaining that presidential immunity only applies to a sitting president after taking the oath of office. Since Trump hasn’t been sworn in yet, he doesn’t qualify for such protections.
Merchan’s ruling didn’t stop there. He took time to reflect on Trump’s behavior, especially his public disdain for the justice system. According to the judge, Trump’s history of criticizing courts, judges, and legal processes weighed heavily against his arguments. Merchan made it clear that Trump’s actions didn’t show respect for the rule of law.
The case has been a legal rollercoaster. Trump’s attorneys, Todd Blanche and Emil Bove, argued that sentencing should be postponed indefinitely because of his election win. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg disagreed, insisting that the process must move forward. Judge Merchan ultimately ruled that sentencing will proceed as planned on January 10.
Interestingly, Trump will not face jail time despite the convictions. The prosecution no longer believes incarceration is a realistic outcome. Instead, Merchan hinted that Trump might receive what’s called an “unconditional discharge.” This means no further penalties or consequences would be imposed, allowing Trump to focus on appealing his convictions.
To make things easier logistically, the judge also allowed Trump to attend the sentencing virtually, sparing him a trip to New York City. However, Merchan didn’t hold back on his criticism of Trump’s legal team. He accused them of filing repetitive and baseless motions and using inflammatory language in their legal arguments. The judge noted that such tactics risk undermining the court system and do little to advance their case.
Merchan also addressed Trump’s continued attacks on a gag order in the case, which has already been upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court. Trump has repeatedly questioned the judge’s impartiality, pointing to his daughter’s career in Democratic politics. These claims, the judge said, have been dismissed by higher courts multiple times.
Despite all the courtroom drama, Trump remains confident about his political future. After his election victory, he announced that his attorneys, Blanche and Bove, will join his administration in high-ranking Justice Department roles.
For now, the spotlight is firmly on January 10, when Trump will face the next chapter of this ongoing legal saga. The case serves as a stark reminder that no one, not even a President-elect, is above the law.
