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President-elect Trump’s bid to toss his conviction in his New York criminal hush money case was denied on Friday.
New York Judge Juan Merchan rejected Trump’s request to vacate the verdict in the case based on the Supreme Court’s presidential immunity decision.
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Sentencing is set for January 10 at 9:30 a.m, with the president-elect having the option to appear in person or virtually. But Merchan said he will not sentence the president-elect to prison.
Merchan wrote in his decision that he is not likely to “impose any sentence of incarceration,” but rather a sentence of an “unconditional discharge,” which means there would be no punishment imposed.
Trump will be sworn in as the 47th President of the United States on January 20.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 15: Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks during a campaign rally at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre on October 15, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. With early voting starting today in Georgia both Trump and Democratic presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris are campaigning in the Atlanta region this week as polls show a tight race. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
TRUMP CLAIMS DEMS MAY TRY TO IMPEDE CONFIRMATION HEARINGS FOR HIS NOMINEES
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Merchan noted that he is still reviewing the other motions filed by Trump to dismiss the case.
He also rejected the DA’s suggestion that he preserve the verdict, but end proceedings as it would deny Trump’s right to a path to appeal.
“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,” Trump spokesman and incoming White House Communications Director Steven Cheung told Fox News Digital. “This lawless case should have never been brought and the Constitution demands that it be immediately dismissed. 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.”
Cheung added: “There should be no sentencing, and President Trump will continue fighting against these hoaxes until they are all dead.”
Last month, Merchan also denied Trump attorneys’ request to dismiss charges on the basis of presidential immunity.
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The ruling comes after President-elect Trump and his team in July requested Merchan overturn his guilty verdict in New York v. Trump, citing the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling that presidents have immunity for official acts.
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Merchan ruled that the evidence presented in the trial was related “entirely to unofficial conduct and thus, receive no immunity protections.”
Trump pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree stemming from the yearslong investigation related to alleged hush money payments run by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. Former Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance initiated the investigation, and Bragg prosecuted Trump.
After an unprecedented six-week trial in New York City, a jury found the president guilty on all counts.
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The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a former president has substantial immunity for official acts committed while in office.
In the formal motion in July, Trump attorney Todd Blanche pointed to the Supreme Court’s immunity decision, and argued that certain evidence of “official acts” should not have been admitted during the trial.
Trump attorneys, last month, officially requested to “immediately” dismiss charges against the president-elect in New York v. Trump, declaring the “failed lawfare” case “should never have been brought.”
TRUMP REQUESTS NY JUDGE OVERTURN GUILTY VERDICT, INDICTMENT AFTER SCOTUS IMMUNITY RULING
Trump attorneys said the case “would never have been brought were it not for President Trump’s political views, the transformative national movement established under his leadership, and the political threat that he poses to entrenched, corrupt politicians in Washington, D.C. and beyond.”
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Trump lawyers said that “wrongly continuing proceedings in this failed lawfare case disrupts President Trump’s transition efforts and his preparations to wield the full Article II executive power authorized by the Constitution pursuant to the overwhelming national mandate granted to him by the American people on November 5, 2024.”
Bragg, in November, requested to Judge Juan Merchan that the case be stayed until the end of Trump’s second term, but Trump attorneys noted that the Office of Legal Counsel in the Justice Department concluded that “the categorical prohibition on the federal indictment of a sitting president…even if the case were held in abeyance…applies to this situation.”
They added that Bragg’s “ridiculous suggestion that they could simply resume proceedings after President Trump leaves Office, more than a decade after they commenced their investigation in 2018, is not an option.”
I am amazed by the beauty and rich history of Maine. There is so much to be shared with all the people from away. The citizens of our special state work hard and know how to play hard in all the beautiful seasons: snow sports, camping, hiking, our immense wilderness, all of this must be shared with the world.
Think of Maine’s abundant natural resources, from blueberries, apples, potatoes, lobsters and wood products to the great shipbuilding legacy. Every Mainer, regardless of party affiliation, can agree on the things that set our state apart from others.
That’s why I was so dismayed that Maine was one of a few other states opting out of the Great American Fair, the event celebrating our nation’s 250th anniversary on the National Mall.
As the only true political peers of Gov. Janet Mills, Sens. Collins and King and Reps. Pingree and Golden need to let Mills know that this was not a good thing to do to our state, our industries and our people.
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This arbitrary decision was shameful. There are times in life when we have to rise above the fray, take the high and right road and not let negative emotions drive our actions. This was a doable project if delegated to groups with interests on the line to plan, organize and secure funds for exhibition costs. What a missed opportunity for us here in Maine.
Lifeguards rescued a swimmer from the water at Houghton’s Pond in Milton, Massachusetts on Friday.
Massachusetts State Police confirmed they were called to the pond at 1 p.m. When they arrived, they found that lifeguards had pulled a swimmer from the water. The victim, who was conscious and alert, was taken to the hospital for further treatment.
This is the same place an 18-year-old swimmer died after he was pulled from the water last month.
Michael L. Poissant Jr., born in 1965, of Franklin, was arrested at 10:03 p.m. on June 3 on a driving after revocation or suspension-subsequent charge and a stop signs; yield signs violation after an incident or investigation on Merchants Way.
Alison Marie Lombard, born in 1978, of Concord, was arrested at 7:48 p.m. on June 2 on a criminal mischief charge and a bench warrant after an incident or investigation on Loudon Road.
Cathy J. Delisle, born in 1964, of Concord, was arrested at 8 a.m. on June 2 on criminal mischief, simple assault, and domestic violence-simple assault charges after an incident or investigation on Snow Pond Road.
Asende Alinoti, born in 1988, of Concord, was arrested at 9:09 p.m. on May 29 on criminal trespass and breach of bail charges after an incident or investigation at the Morning Star Condominiums on Loudon Road.
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