President-elect Donald Trump has recently undertaken a significant legal action in response to Manhattan Judge Juan Merchan, who is aiming to impose a sentence on him prior to his inauguration later this month. With Trump’s sentencing hearing set for this Friday, his legal representatives have requested the Supreme Court to either postpone or annul the sentencing, citing his obligation to serve the United States without the hindrance of legal repercussions.
To provide context, Trump was convicted last year on 34 felony counts concerning his business documents in the hush money case. Following Trump’s notable victory in the 2024 election, Judge Merchan reportedly contemplated dismissing the case in light of the Supreme Court’s ruling on presidential immunity. However, he ultimately decided against this, asserting that the incoming president should endure some form of legal accountability.
The submission to the Supreme Court compels Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg to prepare for a likely objection if the Supreme Court addresses the issue before Friday. Trump’s legal team contends that the president-elect is shielded from the charges for which he has been convicted and, as such, should not be subjected to legal penalties.
In their filing, Trump’s attorneys stated, “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.” Additionally, Trump spokesman Steven Cheung provided a statement to NBC News, asserting, “The Supreme Court’s historic decision on Immunity, the Constitution, and established legal precedent mandate that this meritless hoax be immediately dismissed.”