New York judge Juan Merchan has scheduled the sentencing of Donald Trump in the case involving hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels for January 10, just ten days before his anticipated return to the White House as a re-elected president. However, the judge clarified that Trump will not face a prison sentence.
This development positions Trump to become the first U.S. president to assume office after being convicted of a criminal offense.
Judge Merchan stated in his ruling that Trump will receive a conditional sentence, meaning he will be released without prison time or a fine.
Trump’s legal team had argued that presidential immunity should protect him and that the case should be dismissed due to his imminent return to the White House.
Conditional Sentence Amid Historic Circumstances
Merchan emphasized that “justice will be served simply by bringing this matter to a conclusion.”
In May 2024, Trump was found guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records. These charges stemmed from allegations that, during the final weeks of his 2016 presidential campaign, he made payments to Daniels to ensure her silence about their alleged sexual relationship.
Although Trump, who was married at the time, denied the allegations and insisted he had done nothing wrong, the court upheld the charges.
Legal Debates Surrounding Presidential Immunity
Following Trump’s re-election on November 5, 2024, Merchan temporarily paused the case to allow both sides time to address the implications of his victory on the trial.
Trump’s attorneys argued that a conviction would unconstitutionally impede the president’s ability to govern effectively. Meanwhile, prosecutors acknowledged the significance of his re-election but maintained that the verdict should stand.
Merchan ruled that Trump’s status as president-elect does not grant him the same immunity as an incumbent president and that dismissing the case would undermine the rule of law.
Potential Penalty
The charges against Trump carried potential penalties ranging from fines to up to four years in prison. However, the conditional sentencing ensures that he will avoid incarceration.
