Trump loses bid to stop sentencing in money laundering case

A New York appeals court judge on Tuesday denied the president-elect’s request Donald Trump to apprehend his criminal sentencing Friday for his conviction in a case related to the payment of secret money to a porn star before the 2016 election.

Judge Ellen Gessmer’s recusal came shortly after she held a hearing on Trump’s request in Manhattan.

Trump’s lawyers argued that Trump had the right to dismiss the case because of a US Supreme Court ruling last year that says presidents have presumptive criminal immunity for official acts committed in office.

The lawyers also said Trump would be irreparably harmed and his constitutional rights violated if he were convicted 10 days before he is due to be sworn in for a second term.

Gesmer was skeptical of those claims during the hearing.

“After consideration of the documents submitted and extensive oral argument, Movant’s motion for a temporary stay is denied,” the judge wrote in her ruling.

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