United States President-elect Donald Trump is expected to be sentenced on January 10 in a criminal case related to the payment of money to ensure the silence of porn star Stormy Daniels, according to Judge Juan Merchan’s ruling.
Although he is not expected to face prison time, his sentencing just ten days before his inauguration is unprecedented in US history.
The judge ruled that the most viable solution would be “unconditional release”, which does not include detention, fines or supervision.
or virtually at the court session.
The Stormy Daniels case
The case involves a $130,000 payment by Trump’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen, to Stormy Daniels to not disclose allegations of a sexual relationship with Trump, which he denies.
Trump pleaded guilty in May to falsifying records to conceal the payment before the 2016 election.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump called the charges “bogus” and the judge “corrupt.” He reiterated that he “never falsified business records.”
The judge rejected Trump’s request to overturn the conviction, noting that doing so would undermine “the rule of law in an incalculable way.”
He also said that Trump’s election victory was not sufficient reason to overturn the decision.
During the trial, Merchan had charged Trump with 10 counts of contempt of court for violating orders regarding public statements.
The judge noted Trump’s “relentless and unsubstantiated attacks” on the judicial system and emphasized that his attitude toward the Act is not in his favor.
The right of appeal
Trump’s conviction opens the way for an appeal, and his lawyers have argued that the case undermines his ability to serve as president.
However, the judge emphasized that the prosecution is about “purely personal acts” and does not affect the power of the executive branch.
Trump also faced criminal charges in other cases in 2023, including those over classified documents and trying to sway the 2020 election.
After his election victory, the Justice Department dropped two of those cases, while the Georgia case remains pending.
