President-elect Donald Trump has requested the US Supreme Court to intervene in his New York sentencing related to criminal charges involving hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels.
In a filing made public on Wednesday, Trump’s legal team argued that the US Supreme Court should impose an immediate stay on further proceedings in the New York trial court. They cited the risk of grave injustice and harm to the institution of the presidency and the operations of the federal government.
New York Appeals Court Denies Stay Request
This legal move follows a decision by a New York appeals court that rejected Trump’s request to halt the scheduled sentencing in Manhattan on Friday. The filing to the US Supreme Court on Wednesday asks for an immediate stay of proceedings as Trump seeks an appeal to challenge questions of presidential immunity.
Trump’s legal team also sought the same emergency relief from New York’s highest court.
Supreme Court’s Response Expected Soon
The US Supreme Court has ordered prosecutors to submit a response to the request by Thursday morning, signalling that the justices may act quickly on the matter.
Trump, who is set to begin his second term as President on January 20, was convicted by a New York jury for covering up a $130,000 payment made by his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, to Stormy Daniels in exchange for her silence about an alleged sexual encounter before the 2016 presidential election. Trump has denied both the affair and any associated wrongdoing.
Legal Team’s Arguments on Presidential Immunity
Steven Cheung, a Trump spokesperson, stated that his legal team had asked the Supreme Court to “correct the unjust actions by New York courts and stop the unlawful sentencing.”
A representative for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, whose office prosecuted the case, confirmed that prosecutors would file a response in court papers.
Trump’s legal battles in the hush money case have made him the first sitting US president, or former president, to face criminal charges and be convicted.
Trump’s Legal Team Seeks Dismissal of Charges
Since his conviction, Trump’s legal team has made two unsuccessful attempts to have the case dismissed. As the sentencing date approaches, Justice Juan Merchan, who is overseeing the case, has indicated that he is unlikely to impose jail time. He may opt for an unconditional discharge, which would result in a judgment of guilt without penalties such as incarceration, fines, or probation.
Trump’s lawyers argue that the hush money case should be dismissed in light of the US Supreme Court’s landmark ruling on July 1, which granted former presidents broad immunity from criminal prosecution for actions taken while in office. They claim that the trial court violated this principle by admitting evidence of Trump’s official acts during the trial.
Additionally, Trump’s attorneys contend that he should be immune from prosecution as president-elect during the brief transitional period between his November 5 election and his January 20 inauguration.
