Trump team blasts 'deeply conflicted' judge for letting NY sentencing move forward
President-elect Trump's team lambasted the judge in his New York criminal case for rejecting his demand the case be thrown out following his election victory and setting a sentencing date for next week. Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung said in a statement that the "lawless case" should never have been brought and must be immediately dismissed....
President-elect Trump's team lambasted the judge in his New York criminal case for rejecting his demand the case be thrown out following his election victory and setting a sentencing date for next week.
Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung said in a statement that the "lawless case" should never have been brought and must be immediately dismissed.
"Today’s order by the deeply conflicted, Acting Justice Merchan in the Manhattan DA Witch Hunt is a direct violation of the Supreme Court’s Immunity decision and other longstanding jurisprudence," Cheung said.
"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," he added, asserting that no sentencing should be allowed to move forward.
Judge Juan Merchan on Friday ordered Trump’s criminal sentencing for Jan. 10 and declined to dismiss the case to accommodate his presidency. The decision keeps Trump’s criminal conviction on the books, meaning he would be the first felon to assume the presidency, though he can still appeal the jury's verdict.
The president-elect in May was found guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records to conceal a hush money payment his ex-fixer made to porn actor Stormy Daniels with the intention of unlawfully influencing the 2016 presidential election. Daniels was paid during the campaign to keep quiet about an affair she alleged with Trump, which he denies.
Merchan signaled in his ruling that he is not inclined to impose a sentence involving prison time, given concerns about his immunity from criminal prosecution upon taking the oath of office. Instead, he suggested an unconditional discharge "appears to be the most viable solution."
The decision follows Merchan's ruling last month that the outcome of the hush money case can withstand the Supreme Court’s new test for presidential immunity.
Trump may appear virtually for the sentencing.
