On Thursday, a divided Supreme Court rejected it. President-elect Donald Trump bid to delay his sentence hush money case In New York.
In a 5-4 court order, Judge Juan M. Marchan on Friday sentenced Trump, who was convicted of what prosecutors say was an attempt to hide a $130,000 hush-money payment to Trump. The way down was opened. Porn actor Stormy Daniels. Trump has denied any relationship with Daniels or any wrongdoing.
Supreme Court refuses to postpone sentencing
What we know:
Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Amy Coney Barrett joined the court’s three liberals in rejecting President Trump’s emergency motion.
It turns out that Marchan’s sentence will not pose a serious burden, as Marchand has indicated he will not give Trump jail time, fines or probation. However, the majority agreed that Trump’s claims against the ruling could be handled as part of the normal appeals process.
Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh would have delayed sentencing, the order states.
Trump’s lawyers argued that presidential immunity should protect him, warned of a “grave injustice” to the presidency, and asked for a delay in sentencing.
In response from Mar-a-Lago, President Trump expressed confidence in his appeal, saying, “I respect the court’s opinion. I saw the court’s opinion, and it was a very good opinion for us. But they called for an appeal…” I think it will work. ”
Mr. Trump’s lawyers argued that the evidence used in the Manhattan trial violated a Supreme Court ruling last summer that ruled in Mr. Trump’s favor. Broad immunity from prosecution About the actions he took as president.
At the very least, they argue, sentencing should be delayed while the appeals take place to avoid distracting Trump during the presidential transition.
Case and expected verdict
Backstory:
Trump was found guilty of trying to cover up $130,000 in hush money he paid to adult film star Stormy Daniels in an attempt to influence the 2016 election.
The judges found that the following convictions were made: 34 felonies for falsifying business records It relates to a personal matter, not to Trump’s official actions as president. Daniels claims she had sexual contact with President Trump in 2006, which she denies.
Legal analysts say he is likely to receive unconditional release without jail time, fines or probation.
Mr. Trump will be represented by John Sauer, D. John Sauer, the attorney general nominee who will represent the government in the high court.
Mr. Sauer also advocated against Mr. Trump in another criminal case. flip the results The 2020 election resulted in a Supreme Court immunity opinion.
Defense attorneys cited that opinion in arguing that some of the evidence used against him in the hush money trial should have been protected by presidential immunity. This includes testimony from some White House aides and social media posts made while the president was in office.
The decision came a day after Justice Alito conceded: answered the phone The day before the president-elect’s lawyers filed an emergency motion with the high court, Trump said: The judge said the calls were about the clerk and not about upcoming or current cases.
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Sisak reported from New York and Hill from Albany, New York. Associated Press writer Mark Sherman contributed to this report.
source: Based on information from The Associated Press.