Photo: JEENAH MOON / AFP / Getty Images
President-elect Donald Trump was sentenced to an unconditional discharge on Friday (January 10) in his New York hush-money case. The sentencing, overseen by Judge Juan Merchan, follows Trump's conviction on 34 charges of business fraud related to payments made to adult-film star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign. Trump appeared virtually from Mar-a-Lago for the hearing.
The Supreme Court had rejected Trump's emergency request to delay the sentencing, allowing the proceedings to move forward just days before his inauguration for a second term on January 20. The court ruled in a 5-4 decision, with Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Amy Coney Barrett joining the court's three liberals to deny Trump's request. The justices noted that Trump's concerns could be addressed on appeal.
Before the sentence was announced, Trump addressed the court and maintained his innocence.
"The fact is I'm totally innocent. I did nothing wrong," Trump said, adding, "This has been a political witch hunt. It was done to damage my reputation so I would lose the election."
Trump's legal team, led by attorney Todd Blanche, plans to appeal the verdict. Blanche described the day as "sad" for Trump and the country, arguing that the case should not have been brought.
The sentencing concludes a significant chapter in Trump's legal battles, but his conviction remains under appeal.