The US Supreme Court has rejected President-elect Donald Trump's last-minute bid to halt his sentencing in the criminal hush-money case.
Trump had urged the top court to consider whether he was entitled to an automatic stay of his sentencing, but the justices rejected the application by 5-4.
The court, in a rationale for its order on Thursday, said Trump could address his issues with the verdict through appeals, and that "the burden that sentencing will impose on the President-Elect's responsibilities is relatively insubstantial in light of the trial court's stated intent to impose a sentence of 'unconditional discharge' after a brief virtual hearing."
The decision closes the last legal attempt for Trump to halt his sentencing, which will take place just 10 days before his inauguration to a second term.
A Manhattan jury in May 2024 found Trump guilty of 34 felony counts of falsifying records to disguise reimbursements for a $130,000 hush money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels as legal expenses in 2016.
Justice Juan Merchan, who is overseeing the case, has indicated he will not consider a jail term for Trump.
Reacting to the new development, the president-elect told reporters the case was a "disgrace", although the Supreme Court decision was a "fair decision, actually."
"It's a judge that shouldn't have been on the case," he said, apparently referring to Justice Merchan, and adding "they can have fun with their political opponent".
0 Comments