Steven Cheung, Trump's Communication Director, said in a statement, "Today’s order by the deeply conflicted, Acting Justice Merchan in the Manhattan DA Witch Hunt is a direct violation of the Supreme Court’s Immunity decision and other longstanding jurisprudence. This lawless case should have never been brought and the Constitution demands that it be immediately dismissed. President Trump must be allowed to continue the Presidential Transition process and to execute the vital duties of the presidency, unobstructed by the remains of this or any remnants of the Witch Hunts. There should be no sentencing, and President Trump will continue fighting against these hoaxes until they are all dead."
Merchan ordered Trump's sentencing to happen a little over one week before he takes office. On Friday the judge wrote in a court order that Trump had to "appear for sentencing following conviction on January 10, 2025, at 9:30 in the morning, at the Courthouse located at 100 Centre Street in New York County."
The president-elect had the option to show up virtually or in person. Merchan has signaled that he is not going to give Trump jail time, instead, "a sentence of an unconditional discharge appears to be the most viable solution to ensure finality and allow Defendant to pursue his appellate options."
Merchan wrote in the order that "neither the vacatur of the jury's verdicts nor dismissal of the indictment are required by the Presidential immunity doctrine, the Presidential Transition Act or the Supremacy Clause." He added that Trump arguments "are unpersuasive as no compelling factor, consideration or circumstance submitted demonstrate that imposition of sentence would result in an injustice."
