Trump Faces Historic Sentencing In Hush Money Case On 10 January, Days Before Presidential Inauguration

US President-elect Donald Trump is scheduled to be sentenced on 10 January in a criminal case involving his conviction on charges related to hush money payments.

However, the judge in the case indicated on Friday that Trump is unlikely to serve jail time.

Judge Juan Merchan ruled that Trump must attend a court hearing on 10 January, just 10 days ahead of his 20 January inauguration, marking an unprecedented event in US history.

Trump is the first US president, whether sitting or former, to be charged with or convicted of a crime.

The judge stated that Trump, 78, has the option to attend his sentencing either in person or through a virtual appearance.

Merchan said that he is not inclined to impose a jail sentence on Trump and suggested that an "unconditional discharge," which involves no custody, fine, or probation, is the "most viable solution."

Trump, who is expected to file an appeal that could potentially delay his sentencing, denounced the decision late Friday.

"This illegitimate political attack is nothing but a Rigged Charade," he wrote on his platform Truth Social.

Calling Merchan a "radical partisan," Trump added that the order was "knowingly unlawful, goes against our Constitution and, if allowed to stand, would be the end of the Presidency as we know it."

Merchan outlined his sentencing plan while rejecting Trump's motion to dismiss the case on the grounds of his presidential election victory.

Trump's legal team contended that the ongoing case would obstruct his capacity to govern during his presidency.

Merchan dismissed this argument, stating that overturning the jury's verdict would "undermine the Rule of Law in immeasurable ways."

"Defendant's status as President-elect does not require the drastic and 'rare' application of (the court's) authority to grant the (dismissal) motion," Merchan wrote in the decision.

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