A Manhattan judge on Monday rejected President-elect Donald Trump’s request to postpone sentencing in his hush money case while he appeals the ruling upholding his conviction. The decision allows sentencing to proceed on Friday, just days before Trump’s inauguration.

Judge Juan M. Merchan denied Trump’s plea to delay proceedings indefinitely, clearing the way for sentencing on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. Trump will become the first president to take office while convicted of a crime.

Trump’s legal team still has the option to ask the appellate court to intervene and delay the sentencing. For now, they have informed the court that Trump will appear at the hearing via video link, citing the complexities of the presidential transition process.

Last week, Judge Merchan also dismissed Trump’s attempt to have the case thrown out on the grounds of his impending presidency. While the judge noted the seriousness of the charges, he indicated that he is unlikely to impose punitive measures.

Following the ruling, Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, describing the decision as “the end of the Presidency as we know it” if it stands.

Trump’s legal team is simultaneously appealing the conviction and challenging Judge Merchan’s earlier refusal to dismiss the case on the grounds of presidential immunity. They filed paperwork with the appellate division of the state’s trial court on Monday, though no hearing dates have been set.

This latest setback adds to the legal challenges facing Trump as he prepares to take office, further complicating his historic and contentious return to the presidency.