The U.S. Supreme Court has refused former President-elect Donald Trump’s request to delay his criminal sentencing in New York, clearing the way for proceedings to take place as scheduled on Friday. The ruling, issued on Thursday, marked a significant legal setback for Mr. Trump, who was convicted on 34 felony counts related to a hush money scheme.
In a brief, unsigned order, a majority of five justices—including Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Amy Coney Barrett, Elena Kagan, and Ketanji Brown Jackson—dismissed Mr. Trump’s arguments. The court stated that his concerns about the sentencing disrupting the presidential transition were “relatively insubstantial.”
Supreme Court Denies Delay
Mr. Trump had argued that being sentenced just ten days before his inauguration as president could interfere with his responsibilities as president-elect. However, the court noted that he was not facing a prison sentence and could still appeal his conviction through regular legal channels.
The court’s four conservative justices—Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, and Brett Kavanaugh—dissented but did not issue written opinions explaining their opposition.
Earlier on Thursday, the New York Court of Appeals in Albany, the state’s highest court, also denied Mr. Trump’s separate request to halt the sentencing. This left him with no legal options to postpone the proceedings.
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Trump Reacts to the Decision
Speaking to reporters, Mr. Trump appeared to downplay the impact of the Supreme Court’s ruling. “I read it and I thought it was a fair decision, actually, so I’ll do my little thing tomorrow,” he said.
At a press conference held Thursday evening from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, Mr. Trump denounced the case and announced plans to appeal his conviction, even though he is not facing jail time or severe penalties.
“We’re going to appeal anyway, just psychologically, because frankly, it’s a disgrace,” Mr. Trump said, referring to his conviction on 34 felony counts.
What’s Next for Trump?
The sentencing is set to take place in a Lower Manhattan courtroom on Friday, marking another pivotal moment in the legal battles surrounding the former president-elect. The hush money case, one of several legal challenges facing Mr. Trump, has drawn significant public attention as it unfolds during his transition to the presidency.
Despite his legal troubles, Mr. Trump has remained defiant, vowing to fight the charges and clear his name. As the sentencing approaches, all eyes are on the courtroom, where the next chapter of this high-profile case will play out.