A New York judge has rejected Donald Trump’s attempt to dismiss the hush money case, ruling that his conviction will proceed. The sentencing has been scheduled for January 10th, just days before Trump’s second inauguration as president.
Trump’s Legal Struggles
Trump had sought to use his presidential election victory to have the case dismissed, arguing that it would distract from his duties. Despite his defense team’s claims of a “lawless” case, Judge Juan Merchan moved forward with sentencing.
The case stems from Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign, during which he allegedly arranged a $130,000 payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels to prevent her from disclosing an affair. In May of the previous year, Trump was found guilty of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records linked to the payment.
Trump’s legal team has insisted that the charges were politically motivated to undermine his 2024 presidential campaign. Trump’s spokesperson criticized the decision, calling it part of a “witch hunt” and demanding that the sentencing be delayed.
Potential Outcomes
Judge Merchan indicated that Trump could face an unconditional discharge, meaning he would not face legal penalties for his conviction. Although Trump maintains his innocence and has plans to appeal, legal experts believe prison time is unlikely due to his age and clean criminal record.
The sentencing comes amid Trump’s involvement in several other high-profile criminal cases, including those related to classified documents and attempts to overturn the 2020 election results. Despite these ongoing legal battles, Trump is set to assume office once again in January.
