By Abiola Olawale
In a significant and crucial legal development, a New York Judge, Justice Juan Merchan has scheduled the sentencing of United States President-elect Donald Trump for the trending hush money case on January 10, 2025, just ten days before his inauguration.
This decision comes after Trump was convicted on 34 felony counts related to falsifying business records to cover up a hush money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels during his 2016 presidential campaign.
Despite the conviction, Judge Merchan has indicated that he does not intend to impose jail time on Trump.
The judge said the ruling would be leaning instead towards an “unconditional discharge,” which would mean Trump would not be subject to any conditions or penalties like imprisonment or fines.
This decision comes despite various motions from Trump’s legal team to have the conviction thrown out, based on arguments including presidential immunity.
However, Judge Merchan found no legal impediment to sentencing before Trump takes office, recognizing that presidential immunity would apply once Trump is sworn in.
The January 10 sentencing date sets a unique precedent, as it will be the first time a US president-elect faces sentencing just before taking office.
It would be recalled that the hush money case involves allegations of payments made to silence individuals who could have potentially tarnished Trump’s image during his 2016 presidential campaign.
Trump was convicted in May 2024 on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records about a hush money payment made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels.
The court held that the payment, amounting to $130,000, was intended to keep Daniels quiet about an alleged sexual encounter she had with Trump in 2006, which Trump denies.
