The United States Supreme Court has denied President-elect Donald Trump’s emergency petition to block his impending sentencing in the New York hush money case.
Trump’s legal team had hoped to delay or prevent the January 10 proceeding, arguing violations of presidential immunity and improper evidence admitted during trial.
However, the high court’s decision clears the way for Judge Juan Merchan’s scheduled sentencing to go forward.
On Wednesday, Trump’s lawyers filed an emergency petition to the U.S. Supreme Court, seeking a stay on his upcoming sentencing date in New York v. Trump.
The Court, in an order released shortly after reviewing the petition, stated it would not intervene at this stage. The justices indicated that questions surrounding evidence and presidential immunity could be addressed through normal appeals processes.
The order also noted that the practical burden on Trump, who is set to be sworn in as the 47th President of the United States on January 20, would be minimal.
According to the court, Judge Merchan has clearly signaled his intent to impose an “unconditional discharge,” meaning there would be no additional penalties aside from a formal sentencing statement.
Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, and Brett Kavanaugh were in favor of granting the stay.
Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Amy Coney Barrett, however, joined Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, and Ketanji Brown Jackson in denying Trump’s request—falling one vote short of the five required to block the sentencing.
Trump was found guilty of falsifying business records in the first degree, stemming from an investigation led by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. The charges relate to alleged hush money payments and the subsequent record-keeping surrounding those transactions.
Throughout the proceedings, Trump has vehemently maintained his innocence, calling the probe politically motivated and dismissing it as “lawfare” aimed at undermining his electoral prospects.
Judge Merchan scheduled Trump’s sentencing for Friday, January 10, after a jury delivered its guilty verdict. While Trump’s legal team immediately appealed, Merchan rejected their arguments and held fast to the original sentencing date.
Citing the Supreme Court’s earlier ruling that presidents are immune from prosecution for official presidential acts, Trump’s attorneys contended that much of the evidence introduced at trial was inadmissible. They claim it improperly focused on Trump’s official duties and ignored protections afforded to the president.
Trump’s lawyers also requested a “temporary administrative stay” to freeze the sentencing process while the Supreme Court reviewed their concerns in greater depth. That request was denied, and the Court insisted any issues with the trial’s conduct should be addressed through standard appellate channels.
With the Supreme Court’s refusal to intervene, Trump is set to appear virtually before Judge Merchan at 9:30 a.m. on January 10.
Despite the guilty verdict, Merchan has made clear he does not intend to impose any jail time, instead indicating that an unconditional discharge will be the likely outcome—meaning Trump faces no additional penalties beyond the formal finding.
Trump continues to describe the Manhattan District Attorney’s investigation as a partisan effort to undermine his presidency and reelection campaign.
Nonetheless, the final determination on Trump’s appeals and any potential impacts on his upcoming inauguration remain in the hands of the courts.