As expected, New York Judge Juan Merchan sentenced President-elect Donald Trump to “unconditional discharge” of any penalty for his so-called “hush money” conviction on Friday.
In an extraordinary comment, Judge Merchan reportedly claimed that the court case he presided over was conducted “no different” than any other case in the New York judicial system.
In a letter, Merchan had previously telegraphed his intention to hand down an “unconditional discharge” of penalties (jail, fines, probation, etc.). Legal analysts view the discharge as a way for Judge Merchan to obtain a politically-motive win by branding Trump a “felon” while also shielding himself from charges that he was hindering a president’s ability to perform his duties.
The case will go down in history as one of the worse cases ever – not just in the U.S., but in the world - conservative commentator and Constitutional Scholar Mark Levin told Fox News Channel, describing Judge Merchan’s partisanship, blatant conflict of interest, and unconstitutional handling of the proceeding.
Levin went on to criticize the U.S. Supreme Court for its decision late Thursday to reject, by a 5-4 vote, Trump’s request for it to stay Judge Merchan’s sentencing, in anticipation of a reversal of the verdict on appeal.
The justices’ decision to let the legal process play out sets a terrible precedent that now allows political opponents to drag candidates through the courts throughout campaigns.
The Supreme Court had an obligation to protect itself and the rest of the U.S. judiciary from the types of abuses perpetrated by the lawfare waged against Trump. Instead, the five justices who voted against the motion “were played,” some because they feared media criticism.
“It’s an abomination…and now we’re stuck with it,” Levin concluded.