Judge Rejects Trump’s Bid to Delay Sentencing in Hush Money Case

• Appeals court denies Trump’s second bid to delay sentencing in hush money case.
• Judge Gesmer upholds the verdict; sentencing remains scheduled for Friday.
• Trump’s legal team argues presidential-elect immunity but faces court rejections.

President-elect Donald Trump is still slated for sentencing in his hush money case this week after a New York appeals court judge swiftly dismissed his latest bid to postpone the proceedings.

Judge Ellen Gesmer, of the state’s mid-level appellate court, rejected Trump’s request on Tuesday to indefinitely delay sentencing while he appeals a prior ruling upholding the verdict.

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Trump’s sentencing remains scheduled for Friday, though his legal team may pursue further attempts to halt it, potentially appealing to higher courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court.

Gesmer’s concise, one-sentence ruling offered no explanation for the decision. However, during an emergency hearing earlier in the day, she rigorously questioned both Trump’s lawyers and prosecutors. The president-elect did not attend.

The rapid developments follow Monday’s rejection by the trial judge, Juan M. Merchan, of Trump’s initial attempt to delay sentencing.

During the hearing, Trump’s lawyer, Todd Blanche, argued that as president-elect, Trump is entitled to the same immunity from criminal proceedings as a sitting president.

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Judge Gesmer pressed Blanche, asking, “Do you have any support for the notion that presidential immunity extends to the president-elect?” Blanche admitted, “There’s never been a case like this before. So no.”

Merchan previously dismissed claims of immunity for a president-elect. Prosecutor Steven Wu reinforced the argument, citing the principle of “one president at a time” as Trump prepares to take office on January 20.

Blanche countered, warning that the case’s continuation risks disrupting Trump’s presidential transition, which he characterized as critical to national security and the country’s vital interests.

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