In a dramatic 5-4 decision on Thursday, the Supreme Court denied President-elect Donald Trump’s last-minute request to delay sentencing in his New York hush-money case, paving the way for his punishment on felony charges just days before his return to the White House.
Sharp Divide Among Justices
The court’s decision allows Judge Juan M. Merchan to sentence Trump on Friday after his conviction for falsifying business records in connection to a $130,000 payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels.
Trump has consistently denied any affair with Daniels or wrongdoing. Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Amy Coney Barrett sided with the court’s three liberal justices, rejecting Trump’s emergency motion, while Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, and Brett Kavanaugh dissented.
The majority ruled that the sentencing, which is expected to include no jail time, fines, or probation, would not disrupt the presidential transition. Trump’s legal team argued for a delay to appeal the verdict, but the court found his claims could be addressed during the normal appeals process.
Trump Reacts to Supreme Court Ruling
Speaking at a dinner with Republican governors in Florida, Trump expressed respect for the court’s decision. “I respect the court’s opinion — I think it was actually a very good opinion for us because you saw what they said, but they invited the appeal,” Trump said. He vowed to pursue his legal fight, which could bring the case back to the high court.
This ruling comes after a series of significant victories for Trump at the Supreme Court, including rulings that prevented him from being removed from state ballots due to the January 6 Capitol attack and granted him immunity in some acts as president, delaying an election-interference case.
Legal Arguments and Political Implications
Trump’s attorneys contended that as president-elect, he is immune from criminal proceedings and that evidence used in the Manhattan trial violated the Supreme Court’s prior immunity ruling. They argued that sentencing him now would create an unnecessary distraction during the White House transition. However, prosecutors pushed back, stating there was no basis for delaying the case and that a brief virtual hearing would not interfere with Trump’s presidential duties.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg defended the integrity of the trial. “A jury of ordinary New Yorkers returned 34 guilty verdicts,” Bragg said. “The jury’s voice must not be erased.”
Controversy Over Alito’s Call with Trump
The decision also follows revelations that Justice Samuel Alito took a phone call from Trump the day before his lawyers filed the emergency motion. Alito claimed the call concerned a clerk and not any case, but it sparked calls for his recusal, which he ultimately declined.
Trump’s legal challenges are far from over as his attorneys prepare appeals and continue to fight charges in other cases. With the sentencing imminent, the political and legal ramifications of this decision will likely dominate headlines in the coming weeks.
