Katie Couric Instagram – President-elect Donald Trump was convicted last year on 34 felony counts for falsifying business records to conceal a payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels in 2016. The payment was part of an alleged effort to cover up their affair and boost his presidential prospects at the time. Trump has denied any wrongdoing.
But Judge Juan M. Merchan, who presided over the case, just now upheld the conviction and scheduled Trump’s sentencing for Jan. 10. (The proceedings were originally set for July but were delayed after the Supreme Court’s immunity ruling.) Merchan also wrote in his Jan. 3 ruling that Trump would face what’s known as a conditional discharge, meaning no jail time. However, he could still be fined or placed on probation.
Following Trump’s Nov. 5 election, Merchan initially paused proceedings and postponed sentencing so the defense and prosecution could weigh in on the case’s future. Trump’s lawyers argued the case should be dismissed to “avoid unconstitutional impediments to President Trump’s ability to govern.”
Merchan rejected this request, stating there was “no legal impediment to sentencing” Trump and emphasizing it was “incumbent” upon him to sentence the president-elect before his Jan. 20 inauguration.
For more information and what a law professor predicts will happen next, head to the link in bio or visit katiecouric.com. | Posted on 04/Jan/2025 03:39:40
