American President-elect Donald Trump on the social network Truth Social called the decision of New York judge Juan Merchan to set his sentencing on January 10 in a case of falsifying business records as an illegal political attack and a farce.
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“This illegal political attack is nothing more than a rigged farce,” Trump wrote.
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The future president accused Merchan of issuing a patently illegal order requiring Trump to appear in court on January 10, and also stressed that this decision was contrary to the American Constitution and could “put an end to the presidency as we know it.”
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Earlier, a judge in New York set Trump’s sentencing for January 10 in the case of falsifying business records, obliging the future head of state to stand trial. At the same time, the document states that Trump may not appear in court in person and may appear online.
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In December 2024, a court in New York refused to overturn the jury’s guilty verdict against Trump against the backdrop of his victory in the presidential election.
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Moreover, the court considered that even if it considers that the whole case falls under presidential immunity, then in any case, all previously presented evidence suggests that these were purely personal actions to falsify business records, which “does not pose a danger of intrusion into powers and functions of the executive branch.”
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In this way, the judge responded to the defense’s contention that the evidence should not have been presented to the jury on the grounds that it fell under presidential immunity.
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Previously, the New York prosecutor’s office asked not to drop the case against the politician even though a conviction may not be issued during his presidential term. Trump’s lawyers are trying to prevent a conviction in the case of forgery of documents by the Trump Organization in paying money to porn actress Stormy Daniels, with whom the politician is credited with having connections. The defense is asking the court to stop prosecuting Trump despite the jury’s guilty verdict, arguing that the Constitution limits prosecutors from bringing the president-elect to justice.
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Trump, who was already president of the United States, won the presidential election, which took place on November 5, 2024. Trump became the second person in US history to return to the White House after a break. Trump became the first election winner to face criminal charges.
