Trump’s sentencing in hush money case set for 10 days before inauguration
Tengrinews.kz - A New York court has scheduled Donald Trump’s sentencing in the hush money case involving adult film star Stormy Daniels for January 10, just ten days before the U.S. presidential inauguration, according to the "Voice of America."
Judge Juan Merchan stated that Trump, the first former U.S. president ever convicted of a crime, may choose to attend the sentencing in person or virtually.
The judge hinted at a likely “unconditional discharge” instead of a prison sentence, meaning that Trump would be convicted but freed without incarceration, fines, or probation—a much lighter sentence that would still allow him to enter the White House as a convicted criminal.
In May 2024, a New York jury found Trump guilty on all 34 counts of falsifying business records to hide a $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels in exchange for her silence regarding an alleged affair with him in 2006.
Trump’s legal team sought to have the case dismissed, citing various reasons, including a recent Supreme Court ruling granting former presidents broad immunity from prosecution.
Judge Merchan rejected this argument but noted that Trump would be protected from further legal action once he is sworn in as president.
Trump had also faced two other cases initiated by special prosecutor Jack Smith, but both were dismissed in line with the long-standing U.S. Department of Justice policy against prosecuting sitting presidents.
These cases involved alleged conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election results, which he lost to Joe Biden, and mishandling a large number of classified documents after leaving office. However, neither case reached trial.
In addition, Trump faces racketeering charges in Georgia over his efforts to challenge the 2020 election results in the state. This case, however, is expected to be put on hold during his presidency.
Earlier, Trump's lawyers urged a New York state judge to dismiss a falsification indictment related to payments to Stormy Daniels.