Judge Juan Merchan issued a decision on the matter of President-elect Donald Trump's sentencing in the New York criminal hush money case on Friday, ordering the sentencing to move forward on Jan. 10, days ahead of Trump's inauguration.
Merchan said he would not impose prison as a punishment due to the impracticalities of incarcerating a president — and suggested he was inclined to discharge the case without punishment on condition of Trump avoiding rearrest.
While Merchan's sentence is unlikely to come with real consequences, the fact he appears unwilling to expunge Trump's conviction outright, or otherwise let him avoid being sentenced in Manhattan, triggered a fresh wave of fury from some pro-Trump commenters on social media.
"JUST IN: Judge Juan Merchan has just ordered President Trump to be sentenced in his phony hush money case on January 10th in New York City, 10 days before his inauguration. Outrageous," wrote far-right Trump ally, social media activist, and former Florida congressional candidate Laura Loomer.
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"BREAKING: Corrupt Globalist Judge Juan Merchan has ordered President-Elect Donald Trump to be sentenced in his phony hush money case on January 10th in New York City… Just 10 days before his inauguration. Kangaroo court," fumed Clem Ziroli, a real estate investor and former candidate for Nevada Assembly.
"Juan Merchan, scoundrel par excellence," wrote right-wing attorney and talk radio host Josh Hammer.
"Juan Merchan’s a total imbecile who has no wherewithal of federal law and how to properly interpret and apply a sweeping decision by the Supreme Court, which granted immunity for official acts," wrote legal activist Paul Ingrassia, without specifying how he believes hush payments to an adult film star are "official acts." "His failure to apply the law faithfully and fairly warrants punitive measures, including disbarment. Same applies to the miscarriage of justice from Alvin Bragg’s office. New York’s legal system has become an utter joke that disregards due process and the fundamental rights of defendants with impunity. Banana republic!"