Judge denies Trump’s bid to delay sentencing in hush money case [Video]

President-elect Donald Trump was thwarted Monday in his bid to indefinitely postpone this week’s sentencing in his hush money case while he appeals a ruling that upheld the verdict and put him on course to be the first president to take office convicted of crimes.Manhattan Judge Juan M. Merchan ordered Friday’s sentencing to proceed as scheduled, rejecting arguments from Trump’s lawyers who said it should be halted while they ask a state appeals court to reverse his decision to let the conviction stand.Trump can still ask the appeals court to intervene and order a stay, or pause. Otherwise, he’ll be sentenced a little more than a week before he is inaugurated to a second term.Trump’s lawyers have told Merchan that if his sentencing happens, he will appear by video rather than in person. The judge had given him the option in light of the demands of the presidential transition process.Merchan …