Judge denies Trump motion to stop NY criminal case sentencing
Former President Donald Trump’s legal battle in New York continues as a judge denied his motion to stay the upcoming sentencing in the New York v. Trump case. The case stems from Trump being found guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records in Manhattan back in May 2024. The Manhattan District Attorney’s office successfully argued that Trump falsified business records to hide a $130,000 payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election to silence her allegations of an affair dating back to 2006.
Judge Juan Merchan set Trump’s sentencing date for January 10, just days before his scheduled presidential inauguration on January 20. Despite Trump’s request to have the verdict vacated based on the Supreme Court’s ruling on presidential immunity, Merchan denied the request. Trump then filed a motion to stay the sentencing, which was also denied by Associate Justice Ellen Gesmer.
In response to the denial, Trump’s spokesman and incoming White House communications director Steven Cheung stated, “Today, President Trump’s legal team moved to stop the unlawful sentencing in the Manhattan D.A.’s Witch Hunt. The Supreme Court’s historic decision on Immunity, the state constitution of New York, and other established legal precedent mandate that this meritless hoax be immediately dismissed.” Cheung emphasized Trump’s commitment to ending what he views as political weaponization of the justice system and anticipated uniting the country in his upcoming administration.
Despite the setbacks, Trump remains determined to attend his sentencing virtually on January 10 at 9:30 a.m. He continues to assert his innocence in the case, portraying it as part of a larger effort by Democrats to undermine his presidency. The ongoing legal battle has been closely watched by supporters and critics alike, with the outcome expected to have significant implications for Trump’s political future.
For more updates on this developing story, stay tuned to Fox News. Thank you to Fox News’ Emma Colton and Brooke Singman for their contributions to this report.
Greg Norman, a reporter at Fox News Digital, has been closely following the latest developments in the New York v. Trump case. Stay informed with the latest news on this and other top stories by visiting Fox News online.
