The legal and political circus surrounding President Trump continues to unfold as the president-elect filed a motion to halt his sentencing in the New York v. Trump case, scheduled for January 10, 2025—just ten days before his second inauguration. Trump’s legal team, led by Steven Cheung, has framed this as yet another chapter in what they call a “witch hunt” by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and Democrats desperate to discredit the incoming president.
Cheung minced no words in his statement to Fox Digital, calling the case a “meritless hoax” that should be dismissed outright based on legal precedents, including a landmark Supreme Court decision on presidential immunity. “The American people elected President Trump with an overwhelming mandate,” he said, adding that the new administration would focus on ending the “political weaponization” of the justice system.
The Manhattan DA’s office, however, wasn’t having it. In their response to Trump’s motion, they urged Judge Juan Merchan to stick to the sentencing schedule, stating there was no legal basis for further delays. The sentencing, which Judge Merchan already confirmed will result in an unconditional discharge—meaning no penalties—has been a point of contention as Trump and his legal team attempt to have the verdict overturned entirely. Trump was convicted of 34 counts of falsifying business records, stemming from alleged hush money payments to Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election.
Trump, who has consistently maintained his innocence, has blasted the case as politically motivated. Over the weekend, he took to Truth Social, calling the New York legal system “broken” and claiming the case was part of a broader effort to derail his presidency and harm New York’s business climate. “Virtually every legal scholar says there is no (ZERO!) case against me,” he wrote. “It’s all rigged, in this case against a political opponent, ME!!!”
The timing of the sentencing adds fuel to the fire. While Merchan has made it clear that no jail time will be imposed, the mere spectacle of a president-elect facing sentencing days before his inauguration underscores the polarizing nature of Trump’s return to power.
With Trump promising to “unban” offshore drilling and dismantle Biden’s policies on day one, the stakes are high for both his administration and his legal battles. As the clock ticks toward January 20, the clash between Trump’s legal team and the Manhattan DA is just another skirmish in an ongoing war of politics and lawfare.
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