The Supreme Court rejected President-elect Donald Trump’s emergency petition to block his sentencing in the Manhattan hush money case Thursday, clearing the way for the virtual hearing Friday that will make him the first convicted felon to become president.
“The burden that sentencing will impose on the President-Elect’s responsibilities is relatively insubstantial,” the court wrote in its 5-4 decision, noting Judge Juan Merchan’s plan for an “unconditional discharge” with no punishment imposed.
Trump was sentenced by Judge Juan Merchan on 34 felony counts over business records during the 2016 presidential campaign to an “unconditional discharge” early Friday — no punishment.
“After careful analysis, this court determined only lawful sentence that permits entry of judgment of conviction is an unconditional discharge,” the judge said Friday. “At this time, I impose that sentence to cover all 34 counts.”
“Sir, I wish you Godspeed as you assume your second term in office,” Merchan said.
Trump said he studied the earlier decision and respected the Supreme Court’s ruling that he’d face such sentencing.
“I read it, and I thought it was a fair decision, actually,” Trump told reporters at Mar-a-Lago Thursday night. “I’ll do my little thing tomorrow. They can have fun with their political opponent.”
Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Amy Coney Barrett joined the court’s three Democratic appointees in denying Trump’s request, while Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, and Brett Kavanaugh would have granted it. The dissenting justices did not explain their rationale.
A Manhattan jury found Trump guilty last May after a six-week trial where witnesses testified the payment aimed to suppress a story about Trump’s alleged sexual encounter with actress Stormy Daniels.
Trump has repeatedly denied the encounter occurred, and claims the charges and allegations are politically motivated.
“I’m the first president and probably one of the first candidates in history that’s under attack with a gag order where I’m not allowed to speak about something,” Trump said during a meeting with Republican governors. “This was an attack on the Republican candidate who just won an election by record numbers.”
Previously, the sentencing was twice delayed from its original July date at Trump’s request. His attorneys argued the proceeding would interfere with presidential transition duties and risk national security, claims the Supreme Court dismissed.
“The alleged evidentiary violations at President-Elect Trump’s state-court trial can be addressed in the ordinary course on appeal,” the court’s order stated.
Despite respecting the Supreme Court decision and his sentencing, Trump has vowed to continue aggressively fighting the court ruling.
“For the sake and sanctity of the Presidency, I will be appealing this case, and am confident that JUSTICE WILL PREVAIL,” he posted on social media moments after the ruling.
The president-elect fought the case through multiple legal options before reaching the Supreme Court, with two New York appellate judges previously declining to halt the proceeding.
Trump will be sworn in as the 47th President of the United States on January 20.