In an unexpected twist, Donald Trump will be sentenced in Manhattan for his felony conviction after all — but he won’t have to show up in person or even face any jail time afterward.
After strongly indicating that the case against Trump for faking business documents to cover up a sexual affair was essentially going nowhere before inauguration, New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan veered hard in the other direction on Friday and ordered the president-elect to face sentencing on Jan. 10.
Merchan cited what he called the importance of “bringing finality to this matter.” In an unprecedented move, the judge also telegraphed what he’s planning to do: He won’t give Trump time behind bars.