US Supreme Court on Thursday rejected President-elect Donald Trump’s urgent request to delay sentencing in his hush money case. In a brief, unsigned order, the court ruled 5-4 that the “burden that sentencing will impose on the President-Elect’s responsibilities is relatively insubstantial” and confirmed that Trump would be permitted to attend the proceedings virtually.
The court further acknowledged that the presiding judge has indicated plans for an “unconditional discharge” sentence, which excludes imprisonment, financial penalties, or supervision.
Trump is due to receive his sentence in Manhattan at 9.30 am (1430 GMT) on Friday, following his May conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records regarding a payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, according to news agency AFP.
Trump, who takes office on January 20, submitted an urgent application to the Supreme Court on Wednesday requesting a delay in sentencing.
The court, which includes three justices appointed by Trump, denied his emergency application to block sentencing in a closely split decision.
Four conservative justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh supported Trump’s postponement request. However, Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Amy Coney Barrett, both conservatives, joined the court’s three liberal justices in rejecting the president-elect’s bid.
Barrett, along with Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, were appointed to the Supreme Court by Trump.
The 78-year-old president-elect’s legal team attempted various strategies to prevent sentencing, contending it would constitute a “grave injustice” and negatively impact presidential operations and governmental functions. They also sought to extend presidential immunity to the president-elect status.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg countered these claims on Thursday, emphasising that Trump was a private citizen when “charged, tried, and convicted.” Bragg maintained that the Supreme Court lacks authority over state court criminal proceedings.
The Supreme Court’s order confirmed Trump’s right to appeal through New York state courts. Judge Juan Merchan previously indicated his intention to grant an unconditional discharge and approved Trump’s virtual attendance at Friday’s Manhattan sentencing.
This conviction marks Trump as the first former US president with a criminal record and the first convicted felon to serve as president. His recent certification as the 2024 presidential election winner comes four years after his supporters’ Capitol riot following his 2020 defeat.
