A New York appeals court on Tuesday rejected President-elect Donald Trump’s request to delay his sentencing in Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s hush money case, scheduled for Friday.
The decision came after appellate Judge Ellen Gesmer ruled that presidential immunity does not extend to presidents-elect.
Last week, Judge Juan Merchan ordered Trump to be sentenced in the case involving alleged hush money payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, whose legal name is Stephanie Clifford.
Trump was convicted in April on all 34 felony counts related to the payments, which prosecutors argued were part of a scheme to silence Daniels and prevent her story from being published by the National Enquirer during the 2016 presidential campaign. The payments were facilitated through Trump’s former attorney, Michael Cohen.
On Monday, Trump’s legal team filed an emergency motion to halt the sentencing, but Judge Merchan swiftly denied the request. Trump’s lawyers escalated the matter to the appellate court, with attorney Todd Blanche arguing on Tuesday that Trump should receive a stay to prevent further legal action.
Appellate Judge Ellen Gesmer, however, dismissed Trump’s claim that presidential immunity should apply to him as president-elect. During the hearing, Gesmer questioned the validity of extending immunity to presidents-elect, asking, “Do you have any support for a notion that presidential immunity extends to Presidents-elect?”
Despite the legal maneuvers, Trump’s sentencing remains on track for Friday. His lawyers may still pursue additional legal avenues to delay the proceedings.
ABC News reported that the appellate court also reviewed Trump’s broader lawsuit against Judge Merchan and DA Alvin Bragg, which was part of his effort to halt the sentencing. The outcome underscores the court’s stance that Trump’s presidential status does not shield him from legal accountability in this case.