Judge orders Trump to be sentenced days before he takes office

Judge Juan Merchan has called on the President-elect to appear in New York court — in person or virtually — to be sentenced in his hush-money case, in which Trump was found guilty on 34 counts, The Associated Press reported Friday afternoon.

Merchan noted that Trump remains a private citizen until noon on Jan. 20.

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The comments came after Merchan denied Trump's motion to dismiss the case, which involved a hush-money payment to adult film actor and director Stormy Daniels.

Jan. 10 is next Friday, a day after the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter in Washington, D.C.

Merchan said he will not impose a prison sentence.