Trump Moves To Cancel Hush Money Sentencing On Friday

NEW YORK — President-elect Donald Trump is seeking to cancel his Friday sentencing for his hush money conviction, arguing that the sentencing hearing must be postponed while he appeals.

Trump’s lawyers signaled in court papers that they will ask a New York appeals court to toss out the jury’s May verdict, which found Trump guilty of 34 felony counts of falsifying business documents. In his appeal, Trump intends to argue that he is protected by presidential immunity — arguments that the trial judge, Justice Juan Merchan, rejected.

But Trump says the sentencing hearing must be halted while higher courts weigh the immunity claims.

Last Friday, in a decision rejecting Trump’s bid to dismiss the case, Merchan scheduled the president-elect’s sentencing for Jan. 10. Merchan indicated he wouldn’t sentence Trump to prison, saying it wouldn’t be a “practicable” option given that Trump is about to return to the White House.