In an unprecedented turn of events, America's newly elected President, Donald Trump, faces a significant challenge right before his inauguration. The 78-year-old is required in court for allegedly silencing a porn star with payment. The court will announce the sentence on January 10, and Trump must attend the hearing. However, the judge suggested that prison might not be an outcome.
This order comes less than two weeks before Trump's oath-taking ceremony on January 20. Before this, Trump has vehemently denied the allegations, dismissing them as politically motivated.
New York Judge Juan Merchan has hinted that rather than imprisonment, Trump might receive a 'conditional release' and stated that the President-elect could attend the hearing personally or virtually.
Judge Merchan's decision mandates Trump's attendance at a court hearing just ten days before his presidential oath, marking an unparalleled event in American history. Never before has a former or sitting U.S. President faced criminal allegations or conviction.
Trump's Team's Response
In a statement, Trump's spokesperson, Steven Cheung, argued that no sentence should be delivered. Cheung emphasized that this lawless case demands immediate dismissal as per constitutional provisions.
Previously, Trump had pushed for dismissing the case, leveraging his presidential election victory. His team's criticism of the judge's decision to proceed with sentencing highlighted the potential hindrance to Trump's executive capabilities.
However, Justice Merchan rejected Trump's plea to dismiss the case due to his election victory and set a sentencing date.
Judge Merchan commented that ignoring the jury's decision would critically undermine the rule of law. He wrote that considering the status of the defendant as President-elect, using the court's authority to dismiss the case would require an unprecedented and 'extraordinary' application.
The Hush Money Case Explained
The allegations claim that in 2006, Donald Trump had intimate relations with adult star Stormy Daniels. This case came into the limelight during the 2016 presidential elections. Stormy threatened to go public with the story, prompting Trump to make an undisclosed payment. Trump is accused of falsifying business records to conceal the $130,000 payment to Daniels.
Previously, Daniels testified that upon first meeting Trump, he was clad in silk pajamas. Recalling the event, Daniels noted that Trump inquired about her career in the adult industry and if she had been tested for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
Trump to Take Oath on January 20
On January 20, 2025, Trump is set to become America's 47th President. The Republican Party has regained control in the Senate with 52 seats, opposed to the Democrats' 47. The House of Representatives also leans in favor of Republicans, holding 216 seats compared to the Democrats' 209.
