The Supreme Court, divided 5-4, has declined President-elect Donald Trump’s request to pause his New York hush-money case, paving the way for his sentencing just days before he assumes the presidency. This decision means Judge Juan M. Merchan will sentence Trump on Friday, following his conviction related to a $130,000 payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels, which Trump has consistently denied as wrongdoing.
The majority, including Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Amy Coney Barrett alongside the court’s liberal justices, found that proceeding with the sentencing wouldn’t pose a significant burden during the presidential transition. This is especially since Judge Merchan does not plan to impose jail time, fines, or probation on Trump.
Trump’s legal team had requested a delay as they planned to appeal the verdict, but the majority of justices believed the issues raised could be managed through the regular appellate process. Meanwhile, Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, and Brett Kavanaugh were in favor of postponing the sentencing.
Following the court’s decision, Trump expressed respect for the ruling and hinted at the continuation of the legal battle, noting the significance of the upcoming appeal on broader issues. He shared these thoughts during an event with Republican governors at his private club in Florida.
This ruling follows a period where the conservative-majority court granted Trump significant legal victories, including decisions that prevented states from removing him from ballots due to the 2021 Capitol attack and rulings granting him immunity from prosecution for certain actions taken during his presidency. These precedents set the stage for further legal challenges as Trump prepares to reenter the White House and pursue his agenda.
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