The Supreme Court denied Missouri’s attempt to postpone the sentencing of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump in his hush money case.
The panel made its decision Monday, Politico reported.
Missouri Attorney General and Trump ally Andrew Bailey filed last month motions asking the Supreme Court to delay Trump’s sentencing until after the general election in November. He also wanted the gag order, imposed by Judge Juan Merchan, to be lifted.
Missouri’s long shot bid to the Supreme Court was presented as a lawsuit against New York, which is allowed under the Constitution, which states the Court can hear disputes between states without those disputes first being heard by lower courts.
According to its filing, Missouri claimed Trump’s prosecution violated the state’s voters’ rights. It did this by preventing the voters from “fully engaging with and hearing from a major-party Presidential candidate in the run up to the November election.”
Trump was found guilty of 34 felony counts falsifying business records by a Manhattan jury in May. Sentencing is set for Sept. 18. The general election is Nov. 5.
The justices denied Missouri’s request without explanation In a one-page order. Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito said in the order they would have allowed Missouri to file a formal complaint, “but would not grant other relief.”
The case against Trump involved his attempt to cover up hush money paid to porn star Stormy Daniels. He could face up to four years in prison. However, some legal experts contend he will probably be fined or sentenced to probation.
Bailey has asserted Trump’s prosecution was a political vendetta to force Trump out of the presidential race.
“It’s disappointing that the Supreme Court refused to exercise its constitutional responsibility to resolve state v. state disputes,” Bailey said in a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter, Monday.
On Tuesday, Bailey will face challenger Will Scharf in a Republican primary for state attorney general. Scharf has previously worked for Trump.
In June, Merchan, who presided over Trump’s trial, scaled back the gag order he imposed on Trump.
Trump is now allowed to criticize witnesses and the jurors in the case. However, Trump is still now allowed to make public comments about prosecutors and court staff. Last week, an appeals panel denied Trump’s attempt to eliminate the gag order completely.
