The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to postpone President-elect Donald Trump’s sentencing in his hush money case, ensuring he will face sentencing in a New York courtroom on Friday.
In a document filed on Tuesday, Trump’s legal team argued that the Supreme Court of New York County “wrongly refused to recognize the immunity from prosecution of the president-elect during the presidential transition period.” They cited the court’s previous opinion granting him “presidential immunity.”
Trump’s lawyers requested that the U.S. Supreme Court immediately pause the ongoing criminal case in New York while they appeal a legal issue concerning whether Trump is immune from prosecution due to his former role as president.
Despite the Supreme Court’s 6-to-3 conservative majority, it denied Trump’s effort to avoid criminal sentencing before the January 20 inauguration.
“After months of delay, the sentencing will now formalize Mr. Trump’s conviction, cementing his status as the first felon to occupy the Oval Office,” reported The New York Times.
Following the Supreme Court’s order, Trump addressed the media at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, stating, “I read it, and I thought it was a fair decision, actually.”
He later added on his social media platform, “For the sake and sanctity of the Presidency, I will be appealing this case and am confident that JUSTICE WILL PREVAIL.”
The Supreme Court’s decision marks a significant moment in U.S. legal history, highlighting the limits of presidential immunity and the accountability of public officials. As Trump prepares for sentencing, global observers watch closely to see how this unprecedented situation may impact the political landscape.
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U.S. Supreme Court declines to halt Trump's hush money sentencing
cgtn.com