In a groundbreaking legal decision, New York’s Court of Appeals has refused to delay Donald Trump’s sentencing in the “hush money” case. This ruling sets the stage for the first-ever sentencing of a former president, marking an unprecedented chapter in U.S. history.
Trump was convicted on 34 counts of falsifying business records related to a payment made before the 2016 election. Prosecutors argued that Trump concealed reimbursements to his former attorney, Michael Cohen, during his presidency. A unanimous jury agreed that these actions violated state laws.
Efforts by Trump’s legal team to claim immunity as a sitting president-elect were rejected. Prosecutors emphasized that “there is only one president at a time,” dismissing these arguments as unfounded.
Delays in this case have been extensive, with Trump’s attorneys repeatedly appealing to higher courts. Most recently, they sought an emergency intervention from the Supreme Court, which declined to postpone the sentencing. The court stated that Trump’s responsibilities as president-elect were not significantly burdened by the trial court’s decision to impose an “unconditional discharge.”
Trump’s reaction was measured, describing the case as politically driven while acknowledging the fairness of the court’s ruling. He will not face jail time or probation, but his conviction carries enormous political and legal weight as he prepares for his second inauguration.
This case stems from an investigation that began during Trump’s first term and uncovered financial irregularities in his business dealings. Despite leaving office, these challenges continue to cast a shadow over his political ambitions.
