Trump will be sentenced before taking office, but prison is ruled out

Daniels and Trump’s own former lawyer, Michael Cohen, admitted that the payment was intended to silence the actress and prevent her from talking about her sexual relations with Trump while they both participated in a celebrity golf tournament in 2006. Trump has always denied Daniels’ version.

Even though he was convicted, the sentence ended up being postponed. The defense’s argument was that this could interfere in the elections, which Trump would end up winning.

But now, the judge rejected Trump’s defense thesis that the case should be closed, given the Republican’s victory in the elections. The lawyers’ justification was that this would affect the transfer of power in the USA.

“Such a decision would immeasurably harm the rule of law,” the judge wrote.

His decision further stipulated that presidential immunity does not protect Trump from facing sentencing for his conviction.

Still, the judge was explicit in indicating that he does not intend to announce the arrest of the president-elect. A sentence of “unconditional discharge” could be the “most viable solution”. Thus, he would be convicted and sentenced, but without having to spend a single day in prison.