Thu Jan 09 08:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Trump Appeals to Supreme Court to Halt Hush Money Sentencing
**NEW YORK, NY** – President-elect Donald Trump is seeking a last-minute reprieve from his upcoming hush-money sentencing, appealing directly to the Supreme Court for a stay. Trump’s lawyers filed an emergency request on Wednesday, arguing that Friday’s scheduled sentencing by Judge Juan Merchan would cause “grave injustice” and harm the presidency.
This comes after New York courts rejected Trump’s prior requests for a postponement. Trump was convicted in May on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. While Judge Merchan has indicated he will not impose jail time, fines, or probation, Trump’s legal team is arguing that the sentencing should be halted altogether.
The Supreme Court has requested a response from New York prosecutors by Thursday. Trump’s spokesperson, Steven Cheung, has called for the case to be dismissed entirely. The Manhattan district attorney’s office will respond through court filings.
Trump’s lawyers are basing their appeal, in part, on a separate Supreme Court ruling granting broad immunity from criminal prosecution to the president. They claim evidence used in the hush-money case should have been protected under this immunity, a claim Judge Merchan rejected. The filing was made by John Sauer, Trump’s appointee for solicitor general, who also represented him in the election interference case.
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