President-elect Donald J. Trump is asking the United States Supreme Court to block his upcoming sentencing in a New York ‘hush money’ case. Trump, who was found guilty of falsifying business records, is scheduled for January 10. The President-elect, who has consistently denied the charges, was unsuccessful in appealing the sentencing date before a New York state appellate court earlier this week.
The emergency petition submitted by Trump’s legal team and being considered by Justice Sonia Sotomayor urges the Supreme Court to prevent what they describe as unlawful actions by New York courts. Trump’s attorneys cite the high court’s presidential immunity decision handed down earlier this year, which—in theory—negates at least a portion of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s case against Trump. Additionally, the President-elect’s lawyers suggest that Trump’s sentence is part of a wider, politically-motivated lawfare campaign against him waged by the Democrat-controlled Department of Justice (DOJ).
“President Trump’s legal team filed an emergency petition with the United States Supreme Court, asking the Court to correct the unjust actions by New York courts and stop the unlawful sentencing in the Manhattan D.A.’s Witch Hunt,” Steve Cheung, the incoming White House communications director and spokesman for Trump said in a statement. He added: “The Supreme Court’s historic decision on Immunity, the Constitution, and established legal precedent mandate that this meritless hoax be immediately dismissed.”
The team has requested the Supreme Court to stay further proceedings in New York until Trump’s appeal is fully resolved. Judge Merchan, who set the January sentencing date, has previously indicated that an incarceration sentence is unlikely. Instead, Trump might face an unconditional discharge, which entails no penalties.
Trump is set to be inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States on January 20.