Appearing virtually in court from his Mar-a-Lago home on Friday, President-elect Donald Trump will be sentenced for his crimes. New York “hush money” caseAt a moment unlike any other in American history.
Trump and his lawyers have battled Manhattan prosecutors at every turn since the beginning of the “hush money” investigation in 2018. He challenged prosecutors' subpoenas and Justice Juan Merchan's decisions, taking the battle several times all the way to the Supreme Court. An attempt this week to postpone Friday's hearing.
The Supreme Court said this on Thursday will not interfere On Trump's part, the way was cleared for Marchen to issue his decision. Shortly after the high court's decision, Trump said he had read it and “thought it was really a fair decision,” adding that the Supreme Court justices said he could appeal and “really…no penalty.” Will not done.”
“But we're still going to appeal,” he said.
“So, I'll do my little thing tomorrow. They can have fun with their political opponent,” Trump said.
merchant The January 3 ruling indicated that he was willing to grant Trump unconditional release, a sentence that would include neither jail time nor any other restrictions that could hamper Trump after his inauguration on January 20. Is.
Trump will be given the opportunity to speak during the hearing, but is not required to do so, and Merchant may also take time to give an informal speech before sentencing.
Trump was found guilty in May after a seven-week trial. A unanimous jury concluded that he committed 34 felonies in authorizing a scheme in 2017 to falsify records so as to conceal reimbursements.quiet money“Payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels.
Daniels testified during the trial, as did Trump's former lawyer and “fixer” Michael Cohen, who received fraudulent reimbursements for his wires to Daniels just before the 2016 presidential election. Cohen paid Daniels $130,000 in exchange for silence about an alleged sexual encounter with Trump years earlier.
Multiple witnesses testified that Trump was glad voters did not learn about Daniels' story before the 2016 election.
Merchan found Trump in contempt 10 times during the trial for violating a gag order barring him from making public comments about witnesses, court staff and others. Issuing a 10th contempt citation, Marchen — who often acknowledged the unique circumstances of the trial and its famous, powerful defendant — predicted Friday's possible sentencing.
“The last thing I want to do is put you in jail,” Marchan said.