President-elect Donald Trump is moving to halt the sentencing scheduled for January 10 in his hush money case while he appeals a New York judge's decision that upholds his conviction. Trump's legal team is urging Judge Juan Merchan to pause the proceedings, citing the implications of his impending inauguration on January 20.

In recent court filings, Trump's lawyers argued that their appeal should automatically trigger a stay in the case. They referenced the Supreme Court's ruling on presidential immunity, claiming that forcing the incoming president to contend with a criminal proceeding as he assumes office violates his rights. However, Merchan has indicated he intends to sentence Trump to an unconditional discharge, meaning Trump would not face prison time but still retain a conviction on his record.

The case dates back to a $130,000 payment made in 2016 by Trump's former attorney, Michael Cohen, to adult film actress Stormy Daniels to keep her silent about an alleged affair with Trump, which he denies. A New York jury found Trump guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records in May 2024 during a trial that marked him as the first former president to be charged with a crime.

Critics of the prosecution argue that the timing of the sentencing, just days before Trump's anticipated return to the presidency, underscores a potential political bias, with Trump himself labeling the case as part of a "witch hunt” aimed at undermining his political comeback. Trump's spokesperson declared, "The Supreme Court's historic decision on immunity and the state constitution of New York mandate that this meritless hoax be immediately dismissed” [source: Newsweek].

The Manhattan District Attorney's office has opposed Trump's request for a delay, emphasizing the need for timely prosecution to maintain public interest and legal integrity. They argue that Trump's previous requests for postponements have led to unnecessary delays that should not be compounded by his current appeal [source: The Hill].

With the legal clock ticking down to his January inauguration, the next few days are set to be critical for Trump as he navigates this historic legal challenge [source: ABC News].