Supreme Court denies request, will not cancel Trump sentencing. 5-4 decision, Roberts and Barrett side with Liberals.

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In a closely watched and pivotal legal decision, the U.S. Supreme Court has declined to halt the sentencing of President-elect Donald Trump in his New York criminal hush money case. The vote was split 5-4, with an unexpected alignment where Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Amy Coney Barrett sided with the court’s three liberal justices to deny Trump’s emergency request.

The decision leaves Trump’s sentencing scheduled to proceed as planned, marking a significant moment as it comes just days before he is set to return to the White House. Trump was convicted on 34 felony counts related to falsifying business records to conceal payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election, a case that has followed him through his political career and into his presidency.

The dissent came from the court’s conservative bloc, Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, and Brett Kavanaugh, who would have granted Trump’s request to delay his sentencing. This split decision underscores the divergent views on legal protections for a president-elect, especially concerning actions taken before taking office.

The involvement of Roberts and Barrett in siding with the liberal justices has raised eyebrows, highlighting the complex interplay of judicial philosophy, legal precedent, and political considerations within the Supreme Court. This alignment is particularly notable given Trump’s role in appointing both Roberts and Barrett to their lifetime positions, leading to discussions about judicial independence versus political allegiance.

The sentencing, which will place a “relatively insubstantial” burden on Trump’s responsibilities as president-elect according to the court’s order, is set to occur virtually. This arrangement allows Trump to attend from his Mar-a-Lago estate, with Judge Juan Merchan planning to impose an unconditional discharge, which would record the conviction without additional penalties like prison time or fines, respecting Trump’s transition efforts and the principle of presidential immunity.

This ruling does not conclude the legal saga for Trump, as appeals are expected, but it does mark a critical juncture in how legal proceedings involving high-profile political figures are managed, especially with the backdrop of a presidential transition. The decision reflects the court’s attempt to navigate between the sanctity of legal processes and the unique circumstances of prosecuting a president-elect.

SUPREME COURT WILL NOT CANCEL TRUMP SENTENCING.

Just hit the wires, 5-4 decision against Trump.

Justice Roberts and Amy Coney Barrett side with Liberals.pic.twitter.com/rhFCwOh9kk

— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) January 10, 2025