Judge Juan Merchan shocked the courtroom -- and President-elect Donald Trump's lawyers -- this week after announcing that the incoming president will face his sentencing hearing just 10 days before he's sworn into office.

According to reports, the judge set the president-elect's sentencing date for Jan. 10. Trump will be allowed to attend the hearing in person or virtually, according to the ruling. 

Trump and his legal defense teams have attempted, on multiple occasions, to have the "hush money" trial tossed out, and at least the sentencing portion of it, but Judge Merchan disagreed.

Trump's motions arguing against holding a sentencing hearing were "unpersuasive as no compelling factor, consideration or circumstance submitted demonstrates that imposition of sentence would result in an injustice," Judge Merchan wrote.

No jail time

Admitting that the court no longer considered a prison sentence a "practicable option," Judge Merchan informed the president-elect that he will not face jail time as part of his sentencing.

🚨BREAKING: Judge Merchan has ordered President Trump to appear for sentencing in New York hush money case on Jan. 10, just 10 days before he's sworn in as the 47th President of the United States. The order allows President Trump to appear virtually, a signal that any possible… pic.twitter.com/nwBA1NBnDH

— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) January 3, 2025

The outlet noted:

In considering the Supreme Court's presidential immunity decision, the judge wrote that an unconditional discharge sentence appeared to be the "most viable solution to ensure finality."

An unconditional discharge closes a case without jail time, a fine, or probation.

The legal team for the incoming president spent months attempting to have the case thrown out in the wake of the bombshell Supreme Court ruling that gave Trump partial immunity.

While Merchan didn't agree to that, he ultimately delayed the sentencing hearing several times after Trump won the presidency in early November.

Social media users, especially MAGA supporters, were furious at the judge for announcing the sentencing hearing.

Social media responds

Plenty of Trump's supporters weighed in with their thoughts on the developing situation and on Judge Merchan

"That judge should be in jail and hopefully will be soon," one X user wrote.

Another X user wrote, "Can a judge not be charged with a crime by way of his apparent conflict of interest and prejudicial conduct?"

Only time will tell what sentence Trump will face, but many suspect it won't matter once he takes office.