A New York judge has officially scheduled President-elect Trump’s criminal sentencing for January 10, following a decision to reject his request to dismiss the hush money case in light of his recent election victory. Judge Juan Merchan emphasized that he is inclined to impose no prison time, indicating that an unconditional discharge may be the appropriate course of action, particularly due to concerns regarding Trump's immunity from criminal prosecution as he prepares to take office (source: The Hill).

Trump's legal team has expressed outrage, criticizing the ruling as a "lawless case" that should have never proceeded. Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung described Judge Merchan as a "deeply conflicted" figure and insisted that this decision constitutes a violation of the Supreme Court's rulings on presidential immunity. "President Trump must be allowed to continue the Presidential Transition process without obstruction," Cheung stated (source: The Hill).

The judge's comments highlight the gravity of maintaining the jury's verdict against Trump, which found him guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records related to payments made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels during the 2016 election campaign. These payments, intended to suppress allegations of an extramarital affair, underpin the criminal charges Trump is currently facing.

Judge Merchan pointed out that he must uphold the integrity of the jury's decision, saying the importance of the verdict cannot be overstated. Trump's legal strategy has focused on delaying proceedings until after the election, successfully postponing trials until voters had their say. With the current ruling, he continues to explore avenues for appeal while navigating an unprecedented legal landscape that could see him become the first felon to assume the presidency.

As sentencing approaches, Trump's team remains vocal about their contention that the legal proceedings are politically motivated and aimed at undermining his presidency. "Today's order should serve as a reminder of the continued witch-hunt against President Trump," Cheung asserted, labeling the legal actions as unjust and seeking immediate dismissal of the case.

Judge Merchan's decision also permits Trump to attend the sentencing virtually, an effort made to accommodate his presidential duties amid this ongoing legal saga.