Trump Seeks to Halt His Criminal Sentencing in New York

President-elect Donald J. Trump is planning an aggressive legal strategy to avoid his criminal sentencing in New York, aiming to delay the process and prevent being the first convicted felon to assume the presidency. His lawyers have requested a postponement of the sentencing, with plans to escalate the effort if necessary by seeking emergency appellate review.

Despite Justice Merchan’s indication that he intends to spare Mr. Trump from significant punishment, the president-elect is determined to avoid the symbolic ramifications of being sentenced as a felon. His legal team argues that the timing of the sentencing, just before his inauguration, would be a distraction from his presidential responsibilities.

The filing also reveals plans to challenge Justice Merchan’s decision to uphold the conviction, with intentions to file a civil action and seek a stay on the sentencing. The appellate court could rule on these petitions quickly, potentially influencing the outcome before Mr. Trump’s inauguration on January 20.

Mr. Trump’s legal team has employed delay tactics in previous legal battles, effectively running out the clock on indictments in multiple jurisdictions. While some cases have been shut down due to federal policies against prosecuting sitting presidents, the New York case has persisted despite repeated attempts to dismiss it.

Justice Merchan has already postponed the sentencing several times, citing various reasons. Despite facing multiple setbacks in his efforts to avoid sentencing, Mr. Trump continues to challenge the court’s decisions and seek alternative legal avenues to overturn the conviction.

The judge’s ruling to spare Mr. Trump from jail time has not deterred the president-elect from further legal action. While his freedom may no longer be at stake, Mr. Trump remains adamant in his refusal to accept the sentencing and continues to explore options for appeal.

If the New York appeals court denies his request for a stay, Mr. Trump may turn to the federal appeals court or pursue additional litigation in hopes of reaching the Supreme Court. The involvement of the Supreme Court in the case remains uncertain, given its previous intervention in federal criminal cases involving presidential immunity.

The New York case centers on a hush-money payment made to a porn star during Mr. Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign, with allegations of a cover-up and falsification of business records. Despite the mounting legal challenges, Mr. Trump remains steadfast in his efforts to avoid the sentencing and clear his name.

The legal battle surrounding Mr. Trump’s criminal sentencing continues to unfold, with the president-elect’s legal team prepared to pursue all available options to challenge the conviction and delay the sentencing. The outcome of these efforts could have far-reaching implications for Mr. Trump’s political future and legal standing.

As the deadline for sentencing looms, the president-elect faces a critical juncture in his legal battles, with the potential for significant consequences depending on the court’s rulings and Mr. Trump’s next steps in the legal process.

The unfolding drama surrounding Mr. Trump’s sentencing adds another layer of complexity to an already tumultuous presidential transition, with legal challenges and political implications converging in a high-stakes battle for Mr. Trump’s future.