The former president appeared on screens in the courtroom with two large US flags behind him, wearing a red tie with white stripes and looking on impatiently as the brief proceeding unfolded.
With Trump 10 days from inauguration, Judge Merchan has indicated he plans a no-penalty sentence called an unconditional discharge, meaning there would be no jail time, probation, or fines.
Alito claimed he took the call Tuesday afternoon from Trump at the request of his former law clerk to recommend him for a job in the upcoming administration.
New York Justice Juan Merchan signalled he would not sentence Trump to jail time, probation or a fine, but instead give him an "unconditional discharge".
Manhattan Judge Juan M. Merchan's decision blocks one potential off-ramp from the case ahead of the former and future president's return to office next month.
A jury convicted Trump in May of falsifying business records related to a $130,000 payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels in 2016. The payout was to buy her silence about claims that she had sex with Tr ...
