A judge has ordered that Donald Trump will be sentenced on 10 January in his hush-money case in New York – less than two weeks before he is set to be sworn in as president.
New York Justice Juan Merchan signalled he would not sentence Trump to jail time, probation, or a fine but instead give him an “unconditional discharge.” In his order, he wrote that the president-elect could appear in person or virtually for the hearing.
Trump had attempted to use his presidential election victory to have the case against him dismissed.
The president-elect has posted on social media dismissing the judge’s order as an “illegitimate political attack” and calling the case “nothing but a rigged charade.”
Trump was convicted in May of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to a $130,000 (£105,000) payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels.
The charges related to attempts to cover up reimbursements to his ex-lawyer, Michael Cohen, who, in the final days of the 2016 election campaign, paid off the adult film star to remain silent about an alleged sexual encounter with Trump.
The president-elect has denied all wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty, arguing the case was an attempt to harm his 2024 presidential campaign.
In the post on his Truth Social platform on Saturday, Trump said the judge’s sentencing order “goes against our Constitution and, if allowed to stand, would be the end of the Presidency as we know it”.
Trump’s spokesperson, Steven Cheung, earlier called the order part of a “witch hunt”.
“President Trump must be allowed to continue the presidential transition process and to execute the vital duties of the presidency, unobstructed by the remains of this or any remnants of the witch hunts,” Cheung said.
“There should be no sentencing, and President Trump will continue fighting against these hoaxes until they are all dead.”
