Trump appeals to US Supreme Court to block sentencing in hush money case in New York
Trump is arguing presidential immunity shields him from prosecution
President-elect Donald Trump asked the US Supreme Court to intervene in his hush money criminal case to prevent his January 10 sentencing from going forward.
The filing with the nation’s highest court came after a New York appellate judge rejected Trump’s argument that his guilty verdict on 34 felony counts should be vacated in light of his victory in the November presidential election, which would have blocked the sentencing.
The filing is a last-ditch effort by Trump to put the case behind him before his inauguration on January 20. The outcome hinges on Trump’s argument that the verdict violates his presidential immunity, even though he hasn’t yet been sworn in.
“This court should enter an immediate stay of further proceedings in the New York trial court to prevent grave injustice and harm to the institution of the Presidency and the operations of the federal government,” Trump’s lawyers said in the filing.
Justice Sonia Sotomayor, who handles emergency matters from New York, asked state prosecutors to respond to the filing by Thursday. A spokesperson for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who brought the case against Trump, said they will respond in court papers.
Justice Juan Merchan, who oversaw the trial, has already said he won’t sentence Trump to any time behind bars due to his status as president-elect. But Trump wants the verdict tossed out regardless to prevent the sentencing from tainting his presidential transition.
