A New York judge has delayed former President Donald Trump’s sentencing in his hush money case until November 26, ensuring that any potential criminal punishment will not impact his presidential campaign before the election.
Judge Juan Merchan, who presided over the seven-week trial, had originally scheduled Trump’s sentencing for September 18. However, he granted the delay after Trump argued that additional time was necessary for his legal team to pursue an appeal on grounds of presidential immunity. The decision to delay aims to prevent the sentencing from affecting the upcoming election and vice versa.
Trump’s legal strategy has consistently included seeking delays, aiming to either retake the White House or stall his prosecutions. He has managed to dismiss or postpone three of his four criminal cases until after the election. This recent delay in his hush money case, which is the only one with a guilty verdict so far, represents another victory in this ongoing legal battle.
Merchan’s ruling was influenced by Trump’s assertion that the September sentencing date was too close to the September 16 deadline for the judge to rule on Trump’s immunity claims. Trump’s attorneys argued that the proximity of these dates could lead to last-minute chaos if the verdict were upheld and the sentencing proceeded as planned.
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The delay effectively removes a significant talking point from Vice President Kamala Harris, who could have used the sentencing as a critique against Trump in the final weeks of the campaign.
Trump had sought to delay his trial and sentencing multiple times, including a failed attempt to move his case to federal court. Although Merchan had initially scheduled sentencing for July, it was pushed back to September to allow Trump’s legal team to address new arguments related to presidential immunity. The Supreme Court’s ruling, which granted some immunity to former presidents, has bolstered Trump’s efforts to delay his cases.
Prosecutors did not oppose the delay, deferring to the judge and citing the logistical complexities of preparing for a sentencing that could potentially be cancelled. However, they criticized some of Trump’s arguments, including previously rejected claims about the judge’s daughter’s work at a progressive digital agency.
In his decision, Merchan emphasized that the delay was made to preserve the integrity of the proceedings and ensure that justice is served without undue influence from external factors. He highlighted the unique nature of the case and reiterated his commitment to making decisions based on facts and law.
If Merchan’s ruling on September 16 upholds the verdict, the sentencing will proceed on November 26. Until then, Trump’s legal team has signaled their intent to continue appealing, with the hope of overturning the conviction or the indictment itself.
This development ensures that any sentencing will not occur until after the election, potentially shielding Trump from immediate political fallout.
Read the ruling below:
