45-47 President Donald Trump has asked the Supreme Court to halt Friday’s sentencing in his New York hush money case.
Trump’s legal team approached the nation’s highest court on Wednesday after New York courts declined to delay sentencing by Judge Juan M. Merchan. Merchan oversaw Trump’s trial and conviction last May on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records.
The Supreme Court has requested a response from New York prosecutors by Thursday.
Trump’s lawyers argued for an immediate stay of the sentencing, stating it is necessary “to prevent grave injustice and harm to the institution of the Presidency and the operations of the federal government.”
Steven Cheung, a spokesman for the Republican president-elect, called for the dismissal of the case in a statement. The Manhattan district attorney’s office has indicated it will respond in its court filings.
Judge Merchan has previously signaled that he does not plan to impose jail time, fines, or probation.
Trump’s legal team has referenced the Supreme Court’s precedent granting broad immunity to presidents from criminal prosecution as part of their effort to overturn his New York conviction.
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