Sentencing For Trump Hush Money Case to Take Place Before Inauguration

New York Judge Juan Merchan on Friday denied President-elect Donald Trump’s request to vacate the verdict in his hush-money case, setting sentencing for January 10, a mere 10 days before the inauguration.

The Details: Merchan, in his ruling, relayed intentions not to incarcerate Trump, but to impose a sentence of “unconditional discharge,” meaning no punishment. Trump spokesman Steven Cheung told Fox News (Right bias) that Merchan’s decision to continue with sentencing “is a direct violation of the Supreme Court’s Immunity decision.”

For Context: Sentencing for the 34 counts of falsifying business records was initially postponed until after the election but was postponed indefinitely by Merchan in November, allowing attorneys the opportunity to file motions addressing the dismissal of the case. Merchan has since rejected arguments from Trump’s attorneys for dismissal based on presidential immunity and has also rejected District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s suggestion that the verdict be preserved and proceedings ended because that would deny Trump the right to an appeal.

How the Media Covered It: Outlets like the Washington Post (Lean Left bias) tended to frame the case against Trump as legally valid, highlighting arguments against Trump’s claims of presidential immunity. Outlets like Fox News, on the other hand, highlighted the Supreme Court decision regarding presidential immunity, focusing on criticisms of Bragg and Merchan, and the politicization of the case.