Trump sentenced after Supreme Court rejection
Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Amy Coney Barrett joined the three liberal justices in the majority


What happened
The Supreme Court Thursday night rejected President-elect Donald Trump's emergency appeal to block a New York judge from sentencing him Friday for his 34 felony convictions related to paying off a porn actress to cover up a sex scandal ahead of the 2016 election. Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Amy Coney Barrett joined their three more liberal colleagues in the unsigned 5-4 decision.
Who said what
The court majority said Trump could address his legal objections to the New York convictions "in the ordinary course on appeal" and the "burden" he faces from his sentencing is "relatively insubstantial" due to New York Justice Juan Merchan's "stated intent to impose a sentence of 'unconditional discharge' after a brief virtual hearing," which Merchan followed through with Friday morning.
Trump turned to the "friendlier audience" of the Supreme Court's 6-3 conservative majority — three of whom he appointed — "after a series of unsuccessful legal maneuvers in New York State courts," The New York Times said. But while the justices had "come to Mr. Trump's rescue in a string of other recent matters," yesterday's "show of independence" ended his "frenzied campaign to stave off the embarrassing spectacle of a sentencing" 10 days before taking office. The "high court's snubbing" of Trump makes it "virtually certain" he will "make history as the first convicted felon to become president," Politico said.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
What next?
Trump's twice-delayed sentencing was indeed imposed Friday, where Merchan followed through with his sentence of unconditional discharge. This places a "guilty judgment on Trump's record, but would not impose custody, a fine or probation," Reuters said. Being a felon is "designation Trump had hoped to avoid," The Washington Post said.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Not there yet: The frustrations of the pocket AI
Feature Apple rushes to roll out its ‘Apple Intelligence’ features but fails to deliver on promises
By The Week US Published
-
George Foreman: The boxing champ who reinvented home grills
Feature He helped define boxing’s golden era
By The Week US Published
-
WHCA rejects White House press seating grab
Speed Read The White House Correspondents' Association objected to the Trump administration's bid to control where journalists sit during press briefings
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
WHCA rejects White House press seating grab
Speed Read The White House Correspondents' Association objected to the Trump administration's bid to control where journalists sit during press briefings
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump sends more migrants to El Salvador jail
Speed Read Another 17 Venezuelan alleged gang members have been deported to a notorious prison
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Law firms: Caving to White House pressure
Feature Trump targets major law firms tied to his past investigations
By The Week US Published
-
Rule of law: Are we in a constitutional crisis?
Feature Donald Trump defies federal court order to halt deportation flights to El Salvador
By The Week US Published
-
Trump 'not joking' about unconstitutional 3rd term
Speed Read The president seems to be serious about seeking a third term in 2028
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Why does Donald Trump want Greenland?
The Explainer Trump is not the only US president who has tried to gain control of Greenland
By The Week UK Published
-
What dangers does the leaked Signal chat expose the US to?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION The White House's ballooning group chat scandal offered a masterclass in what not to say when prying eyes might be watching
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Supreme Court upholds 'ghost gun' restrictions
Speed Read Ghost guns can be regulated like other firearms
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published