Trump’s hush money sentencing still on for Friday after judge rebuffs his push for delay
New York judge orders sentencing to proceed on January 10, a little more than a week before Trump’s inauguration
US President-elect Donald Trump remains on track to be sentenced this week in his hush money case after a judge on Monday denied his request to halt proceedings while he appeals a ruling that upheld the historic verdict.
Manhattan Judge Juan Merchan ordered sentencing to proceed as scheduled on Friday, a little more than a week before Trump’s inauguration. The judge rejected a push by Trump’s lawyers to postpone it indefinitely while they ask a state appeal court to reverse his decision that let the conviction stand.
Trump, on course to be the first president to take office convicted of crimes, can still ask the appeal court to delay sentencing.
Trump’s lawyers have told Merchan that if his sentencing happens, he will appear by video rather than in person. The judge had given him the option, acceding to the demands of the presidential transition process.
Last Friday, Merchan denied Trump’s bid to throw out his conviction and dismiss the case because of his impending return to the White House, but signalled he is not likely to sentence the Republican to any punishment for his conviction on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records.
