President-elect Donald Trump has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to order a New York court to postpone his sentencing in the "hush money" case involving adult film actress Stormy Daniels, citing the imminent start of his presidency.
"President Donald Trump is undertaking critical and sensitive responsibilities as he prepares to assume the powers of the executive branch in less than two weeks. These responsibilities are paramount to national security and the vital interests of the United States," Trump's legal team wrote in a filing to the Supreme Court on January 8.
The lawyers argue that subjecting Trump to sentencing proceedings while he is preparing to take office is "unconstitutional and undermines crucial national interests."
Urgent Request for Delay
Trump’s legal team is urging the Supreme Court to immediately instruct the New York court to delay sentencing until unresolved legal questions surrounding presidential immunity are addressed. The request will be reviewed by Justice Sonia Sotomayor, who handles emergency applications from New York. Sotomayor can decide unilaterally or refer the matter to the full Supreme Court for consideration.
Justice Sotomayor has already asked New York prosecutors to respond to Trump’s filing by 10 a.m. on January 9, less than 24 hours before the scheduled sentencing.
A New York appeals court on January 7 rejected Trump’s request to delay sentencing in the case. His lawyers had argued that presidential immunity, typically granted to sitting presidents, should also apply during the transition period between election victory and inauguration.
Background on the Case
Trump was convicted in May 2024 by a New York jury of falsifying business records related to hush money payments to Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 presidential election. The charges carry a maximum sentence of four years in prison. However, legal experts have long speculated that Judge Juan Merchan, who presided over the trial, would not impose jail time.
The case makes Trump the first U.S. president-elect to face sentencing for a felony conviction.
Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for Trump, said the legal team’s appeal to the Supreme Court seeks to "correct the outrageous actions of the New York court and prevent an unlawful sentencing."
Possible Outcomes
Trump’s sentencing is scheduled for January 10, just 10 days before his inauguration. Judge Merchan has indicated he is unlikely to impose a prison sentence and may grant an unconditional pardon. This would mean Trump would be officially convicted but would not face jail time, fines, or probation.
If Trump’s legal team fails to secure intervention from the Supreme Court, the New York court is expected to proceed with sentencing as planned.
(Adapted from Reuters, The Hill)
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