President-elect Donald Trump faces a critical legal battle as his conviction in a high-profile hush money case hangs in the balance.
According to Reuters, Trump has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to halt his sentencing in New York state court, scheduled for Friday, citing presidential immunity claims and potential harm to the institution of the presidency.
The legal maneuver comes after a New York appeals court rejected Trump's earlier attempt to pause the sentencing proceedings.
His legal team has simultaneously sought emergency relief from the state's highest court while awaiting the Supreme Court's response to their request, which demands immediate attention from prosecutors by Thursday morning.
Trump's lawyers have presented a compelling argument centered on the Supreme Court's landmark July 1 ruling regarding presidential immunity. They assert that the trial court violated established immunity principles by introducing evidence of Trump's official acts during the proceedings.
The legal team has also introduced a novel argument claiming that Trump's status as president-elect grants him immunity during the transition period between his November 5 election and January 20 inauguration.
The case has already made history as the first-ever criminal conviction of a U.S. president, whether sitting or former. Trump's defense team has made multiple unsuccessful attempts to have the case dismissed since the verdict was delivered. These efforts highlight the unprecedented nature of the legal challenges facing the incoming president.
Justice Juan Merchan, who presides over the case, has indicated that jail time is unlikely for Trump. The judge has expressed his inclination toward an unconditional discharge, which would result in a guilty verdict on Trump's record without additional penalties such as custody, fines, or probation.
Trump's legal team presented their position to the Supreme Court, stating:
This court should enter an immediate stay of further proceedings in the New York trial court to prevent grave injustice and harm to the institution of the presidency and the operations of the federal government.
The case stems from Trump's conviction related to covering up a $130,000 payment made by his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, to adult film actor Stormy Daniels. The payment was intended to ensure Daniels' silence about an alleged sexual encounter before the 2016 election. Trump has consistently denied both the encounter and any wrongdoing associated with the payment.
Steven Cheung, Trump's spokesman, has emphasized the urgency of their appeal to the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office, which prosecuted the case, has indicated they will respond through proper legal channels. The high-stakes legal confrontation continues to evolve as Trump prepares to assume his second term in office.
The unprecedented case of President-elect Donald Trump's hush money conviction has entered a crucial phase as he seeks intervention from the nation's highest court. The matter centers on a $130,000 payment to adult film actor Stormy Daniels, resulting in Trump becoming the first U.S. president to face criminal charges and conviction.
As Friday's sentencing approaches, the Supreme Court's decision could significantly impact both Trump's immediate future and the broader scope of presidential legal immunity, particularly during the transition period between the election and inauguration.
