The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the sentencing of President-elect Donald Trump can proceed in the New York hush money case involving payments to adult-film star Stormy Daniels. In a 5-4 decision, Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Amy Coney Barrett joined the court’s liberal justices to deny Trump’s request to delay his sentencing.
The sentencing is set to take place today, January 10, 2025, in New York. Judge Juan Merchan, overseeing the case, has suggested that sentencing will likely result in an unconditional discharge. This means Trump would not face jail time, fines, or probation due to the challenges of incarcerating a president-elect. Trump’s legal team attempted to delay the sentencing, arguing that it could disrupt his transition to the presidency and citing claims of presidential immunity. However, the courts determined that the burden on Trump was minimal and that any disputes could be addressed during the appeals process. This case marks a historic moment, as it is the first time a former U.S. president has faced a criminal conviction. Trump continues to assert his innocence and plans to appeal the ruling.