Sentencing

Manhattan DA pushes back on Trump claims that sentencing will affect transition and national security

From CNN’s John Fritze

New York prosecutors pushed back Thursday on President-elect Donald Trump’s assertion that a sentencing in the hush money case would jeopardize the transfer of power of the presidency this month.

“There is a compelling public interest in proceeding to sentencing,” Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg told the Supreme Court in a filing Thursday. “Defendant has provided no record support for his claim that his duties as President-elect foreclose him from virtually attending a sentencing that will likely take no more than an hour.”

Trump asserted in an emergency appeal on Wednesday that the sentencing, set for Friday, would be “uniquely taxing.” He is set to be inaugurated on January 20.

“President Trump is currently engaged in the most crucial and sensitive tasks of preparing to assume the executive power in less than two weeks, all of which are essential to the United States’ national security and vital interests,” his attorneys wrote.

The US Supreme Court is considering Trump’s request to delay his sentencing in the hush money case and is expected to hand down a decision as soon as Thursday.