Trump's lawyers ask judge to halt Friday's hush money case sentencing while they appeal to block it

Contributing sentiments towards policy:

59% : The judge wrote that sentencing Trump to what's known as an unconditional discharge -- closing the case without jail time, a fine or probation -- "appears to be the most viable solution."Acknowledging the demands of the transition process, Merchan had given Trump the option to attend in person or appear virtually by video.
53% : If sentencing doesn't happen before Trump is sworn in, waiting until he leaves office in 2029 "may become the only viable option," Merchan said last week.
53% : Whenever he is sentenced, Trump will have an opportunity to speak, as will his lawyers and prosecutors.
45% : The case centered on how Trump accounted for reimbursing his then-personal lawyer Michael Cohen, who had made the payment to Daniels.
42% : Trump has said that it "would be the end of the Presidency as we know it" if the ruling is allowed to stand.
41% : Any delay in sentencing Trump could run out the clock on closing the case before his second term begins Jan. 20.
39% : "The Supreme Court's historic decision on Immunity, the state constitution of New York, and other established legal precedent mandate that this meritless hoax be immediately dismissed.
36% : They asked Merchan to inform them by Monday afternoon of his decision "to allow sufficient time for President Trump to seek an emergency appellate review.
25% : In his decision last week, the judge signaled he is not likely to sentence Trump, a Republican, to any punishment for his historic conviction on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records.
20% : While Trump asserted that presidential immunity and his looming second term necessitated nixing the verdict, Merchan wrote in his Jan. 3 ruling that only "bringing finality to this matter" by sentencing Trump would serve the interests of justice.
9% : Cohen, a key prosecution witness who had previously called for Trump to be put in prison, said that "based upon all of the intervening circumstances" Merchan's decision to sentence Trump without punishment "is both judicious and appropriate.

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