A judge has scheduled Donald Trump’s sentencing for January 10 in his hush-money case in New York, less than two weeks before he is set to be sworn in as president.
New York Justice Juan Merchan indicated that Trump would not face jail time, probation, or a fine, but would instead receive an “unconditional discharge.” The president-elect can appear in person or virtually for the hearing.
Trump had attempted to use his presidential election victory to have the case dismissed.
The president-elect dismissed the judge’s order on social media, calling it an “illegitimate political attack” and labeling the case a “rigged charade.”
In May, Trump was convicted of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to a $130,000 (£105,000) payment to adult-film star Stormy Daniels.
The charges stemmed from attempts to cover up reimbursements to his ex-lawyer, Michael Cohen, who paid off Daniels in the final days of the 2016 election campaign to keep quiet about an alleged sexual encounter with Trump.
Trump has denied all wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty, arguing that the case was an attempt to harm his 2024 presidential campaign.
In a post on his Truth Social platform on Saturday, Trump said the judge’s sentencing order “goes against our Constitution and, if allowed to stand, would be the end of the Presidency as we know it.”
Trump’s spokesperson, Steven Cheung, called the order part of a “witch hunt.”
“President Trump must be allowed to continue the presidential transition process and to execute the vital duties of the presidency, unobstructed by the remains of this or any remnants of the witch hunts,” Cheung said.
“There should be no sentencing, and President Trump will continue fighting against these hoaxes until they are all dead.”
In his latest motion against the case, Trump argued that the case would hang over him during his presidency and impede his ability to govern.
Justice Merchan said he had been advised of several measures to address Trump’s concerns about being distracted by a criminal case while serving as president, short of overturning the jury’s verdict.
Options included delaying the sentencing until Trump, 78, leaves the White House in 2029 or guaranteeing a sentence that would not involve prison time.
Trump had initially argued, unsuccessfully, that the case against him violated a Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity.
In July, the country’s top court ruled that presidents have broad immunity from criminal prosecution for “official actions” taken while in office.
However, last month, Justice Merchan ruled that Trump’s hush-money conviction was valid.
Trump is set to be the first convicted felon to serve in the White House. He may attempt to appeal the conviction after the sentencing.
While falsifying business records is punishable by up to four years in prison in the US, there is no minimum sentence, and incarceration is not required.
Even before his election victory, legal experts believed it was unlikely Trump would face jail time given his age and legal record.
Trump also faces charges in three other state and federal criminal cases: one involving classified documents and two related to his alleged efforts to overturn his loss in the 2020 election.
The president-elect was initially scheduled to be sentenced on November 26, but Justice Merchan pushed the date back after Trump won the presidential election.
