In a controversial decision, Manhattan Judge Juan Merchan has set January 10, 2025, as the sentencing date for President-elect Donald Trump, just ten days before his inauguration for a second term.
Despite Trump’s legal team pushing for the case’s dismissal, Judge Merchan denied the motion and offered Trump the option to appear in person or virtually, stating the necessity of bringing “finality” to the matter.
The judge’s ruling included an acknowledgment that presidential immunity would apply once Trump is sworn in on January 20, 2025, but asserted “the need” to conclude proceedings beforehand. Trump is expected to receive an unconditional discharge, avoiding jail time entirely.
Trump’s spokesperson Steven Cheung slammed the court’s decision, calling it “a continuation of politically motivated witch hunts designed to obstruct President Trump.” Cheung said the President-elect must be allowed to focus on the transition process and the duties of the presidency without interference from “hoaxes” and partisan investigations.
The hush money case centred on payments made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels during Trump’s 2016 campaign, with prosecutors alleging that Trump falsified business records to hide the transactions. Trump has consistently denied the allegations, calling them an overreach by the George Soros-funded Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.
Bragg controversially escalated the case retrospectively from what would typically be a minor misdemeanor to 34 felony counts—one for each entry related to the payments in Trump’s records—leading to a May 2024 conviction.
Critics of the case highlight the defense’s argument that the U.S. Supreme Court grants broad immunity to presidents for actions taken in office. However, Merchan ruled that the immunity did not apply to actions before Trump’s presidency. Trump’s legal team has maintained that the charges are an abuse of the legal system designed to derail his political comeback.
The timing of the sentencing has further fuelled controversy, as it follows a series of legal setbacks for Trump’s opponents. In recent months, Special Counsel Jack Smith dropped federal charges related to classified documents and alleged interference in the 2020 election certification. Additionally, a Georgia judge dismissed eight out of 13 state-level charges following Trump’s decisive 2024 election win.
Both Fat Alvin and the Democrat influenced Merchant should be jailed for election interference.
The evil demon-crats still playing dirty tricks. They should all be prisoned for election interference, weaponizing the justice system, and putting American citizens at risk by letting in millions of illegal immigrants.
Judge Merchan just made a dumb and perhaps a self terminating move. Joyfully, no one is going to miss him.