The U.S. Supreme Court decided that Donald Trump can be sentenced for a criminal case involving money paid to keep a porn star quiet. Five justices voted for this, including two conservatives who joined the three liberal justices.
The Court explained two main reasons for their decision: “First, the alleged evidentiary violations at president-elect Trump’s state-court trial can be addressed in the ordinary course on appeal. Second, the burden that sentencing will impose on the president-elect’s responsibilities is relatively insubstantial in light of the trial court’s stated intent to impose a sentence of ‘unconditional discharge’ after a brief virtual hearing.”
After hearing the decision, Trump responded from his Florida home, saying: “I read it, and I thought was a fair decision, actually.” He also posted on social media: “For the sake and sanctity of the Presidency, I will be appealing this case, and am confident that JUSTICE WILL PREVAIL.”
Reuters reports that when prosecutors argued against Trump’s request, they emphasised that presidential immunity doesn’t apply in this case, stating: “It is axiomatic that there is only one president at a time.”
The case involves Trump being found guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records about a $130,000 payment. This makes him the first former U.S. president to be criminally prosecuted and convicted. The sentencing is scheduled for Friday morning, and the judge, Justice Juan Merchan, has indicated he likely won’t give Trump any prison time, just what’s called an “unconditional discharge.”
Four conservative justices disagreed with the decision, though they didn’t explain why. Trump’s lawyers argue that some evidence shouldn’t have been allowed in the trial and that as president-elect, Trump should be immune from prosecution – an argument the prosecutors called an “extraordinary immunity claim” that has no support from any court.
