The Traffic

Hush-Money Case: Sentencing Set Just Days Before Inauguration – No Jail Time Expected

By Achimi Muktar

In a legal drama befitting his larger-than-life persona, President-elect Donald Trump will face sentencing on January 10 in his hush-money case, just days before his historic return to the White House. But the outcome is set to be as unconventional as the man himself. New York Justice Juan Merchan has signaled that Trump will avoid jail time, probation, or fines, opting instead for an “unconditional discharge.”

The highly anticipated hearing, which Trump can attend virtually or in person, follows a conviction in May on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. The charges stem from a $130,000 payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 campaign, a move allegedly orchestrated to keep their alleged affair under wraps. Trump denies any wrongdoing and insists the case is politically motivated.

“This is nothing but a rigged charade,” Trump declared on his Truth Social platform, lambasting the judge’s order as an “illegitimate political attack” and accusing his opponents of weaponizing the legal system to derail his presidency.

A Controversial Conviction and Unprecedented Presidency

The conviction centers on Trump’s reimbursement to Michael Cohen, his former lawyer and fixer, who made the payment to Daniels during the heated final days of the 2016 election. Trump’s team has long argued that the case is a witch hunt aimed at undermining his 2024 campaign.

Despite these claims, legal hurdles have mounted for the 78-year-old president-elect. He now stands as the first convicted felon poised to serve in the Oval Office, a milestone Justice Merchan acknowledged as he ruled against overturning the jury’s verdict.

Trump had argued that the case would hang over his presidency, impairing his ability to govern. Justice Merchan dismissed those concerns, offering assurances that measures could be implemented to minimize distractions during Trump’s term.

Trump’s Defiance and Legal Team’s Fury

Trump’s spokesperson, Steven Cheung, decried the sentencing as yet another chapter in a series of political “witch hunts.”

“President Trump must be allowed to execute the vital duties of the presidency without interference from these baseless hoaxes,” Cheung said. “He will fight until these attacks are dead and buried.”

Legal experts have pointed out that while falsifying business records carries a potential sentence of up to four years in prison, incarceration is not mandatory, especially for a first-time offender of Trump’s age and stature.

Even before his election victory, many believed Trump would avoid prison time. Now, with his sentencing imminent, speculation has turned to how the case might impact his presidency.

A Legacy of Legal Battles

This hush-money case is just one of several legal challenges facing Trump. He is also battling charges related to classified documents and alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election results.

Despite these hurdles, Trump has continued to command unwavering loyalty from his supporters, transforming his legal woes into a rallying cry against what he calls a “weaponized” justice system.

As January 10 approaches, the world will watch as Trump navigates the unprecedented duality of being a convicted felon and the leader of the free world. For his critics, the case is a symbol of accountability. For his supporters, it’s proof that the establishment will stop at nothing to bring him down.