The US Supreme Court has rejected President-elect Donald Trump's urgent request to postpone his sentencing hearing in the ongoing hush money case. The court's brief order, decided by a narrow 5-4 vote, determined that the anticipated burden of sentencing on Trump’s presidential responsibilities was "relatively insubstantial." The court stated that Trump would be allowed to attend the hearing virtually, which is set for Friday at 9:30 AM (1430 GMT).

Trump’s conviction in May for 34 counts of falsifying business records stems from payments made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, designed to silence allegations of an affair during the 2016 election campaign. Despite the nature of the case, the judge indicated an intention to impose an "unconditional discharge," meaning no prison time, probation, or fines would be levied against Trump after the sentencing.

In his public remarks following the Supreme Court ruling, Trump expressed his discontent with the judicial process, branding it as politically motivated and asserting his innocence. He stated on his social media platform, Truth Social: “I appreciate the time and effort of the United States Supreme Court in trying to remedy the great injustice done to me…” He continued by denouncing the judges involved and claiming that this represented a grave instance of a "weaponized justice system" meant to target him politically.

Despite the court's ruling, Trump's legal team had argued that he is shielded from prosecution while serving as president. However, the Supreme Court clarified that this immunity does not extend to a president-elect, which contradicted Trump's longstanding claims that the case was unjust. The ruling allows Trump to continue with appeal mechanisms available in New York state courts.

Amid the controversy, District Attorney Alvin Bragg emphasized the notion that no individual is above the law, reiterating the importance of accountability regardless of political status. As Trump prepares for his January 20 inauguration, the outcome of this case marks a significant moment in the legal and political landscape of the nation.

For full details on Trump's response and implications of the ruling, you can read the full article on Newsweek.