A New York judge presiding over President-elect Donald Trump’s case has set sentencing for January 10, just ten days before his inauguration.
Judge Juan Merchan, in a judgment delivered Friday, said he was unlikely to impose a prison term, preferring instead an unconditional release.
Trump, convicted in May of 34 counts related to falsifying business records for a secret payment to porn star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election, faces a potential sentence of up to four years in prison.
Despite the legal implications, Judge Merchan noted that prosecutors and the court found the prison sentence to be an impractical recommendation. Trump has signaled his intention to appeal the decision, which could further delay sentencing.
Legal experts did not expect the judge to sentence the former president to prison, and Merchan’s ruling reaffirms that position. Instead of incarceration, the judge ruled in favor of unconditional release, which would allow Trump to enter the White House as a convicted felon, but without prison time.
Trump’s lawyers had asked that the case be thrown out on various grounds, including last year’s Supreme Court ruling, which grants former presidents broad immunity from prosecution for actions taken while in office.
Merchan rejected that argument, emphasizing that Trump would be immune from prosecution once sworn in as president. He noted that presidential immunity would likely take effect after Jan. 20, 2025, when Trump is sworn in, but that the court would have to impose the sentence before then.
Trump denounced the decision, relying on his Truth Social platform, where he called the case an “illegitimate political attack” and called Judge Merchan a “radical partisan.” He further called the decision “knowingly illegal” and warned that it would end the presidency as we know it.
Trump spokesman Steven Cheung also condemned the court’s actions, saying the case violated Supreme Court precedent and saying it should have been thrown out.
Trump also faces other significant legal challenges, including two federal cases brought by special counsel Jack Smith. These cases involve accusations that Trump sought to overturn the results of the 2020 election and mishandled top-secret documents after leaving the White House.
However, both cases were dropped due to a long-standing Justice Department policy that prevents sitting presidents from being prosecuted. Additionally, Trump faces racketeering charges in Georgia for trying to change the state’s 2020 election results. However, this matter will likely be put on hold if he assumes the presidency again.
As Trump moves forward in his legal battles, this case represents a crucial turning point for his political and legal future. Even if the court appears to lean in favor of a non-incarceration sentence, Trump’s appeal and the complexities surrounding his presidency could delay or change the outcome of his legal proceedings.
The eventual resolution of these cases will have significant implications, both for Trump personally and for the broader political landscape, particularly as he prepares to return to the White House.
