With his Friday sentencing in the hush money case fast approaching, President-elect Donald Trump has filed a late emergency application before the U.S. Supreme Court in an effort to shut down the case before he returns to the White House in less than two weeks.

This came after a New York appeals court rejected the same application on Tuesday, with Judge Ellen Gesmer questioning the validity of the application following immunity arguments by Mr Trump’s lawyer, Todd Blanche, that his client should be shielded from sentencing.

Following an unsuccessful attempt at the appeals court, Mr Trump immediately filed an emergency application before the Supreme Court late Tuesday. He is asking the apex court to intervene and halt the proceeding scheduled for Friday, 10 days before the presidential inauguration.

Mr Blanche is arguing that immunity should protect his client that he is now the president-elect. He also argues that proceeding with the sentencing will officially make Mr Trump a felon, which may adversely impact his ability to carry out his presidential duties.

“This court should enter an immediate stay of further proceedings in the New York trial court,” the application said, “to prevent grave injustice and harm to the institution of the presidency and the operations of the federal government.”

The Supreme Court has directed prosecutors to respond to Mr Trump’s application by Thursday morning, an indication that the justices may act before the scheduled sentencing, the New York Times reported.