New York Judge Juan Merchan has postponed former President Donald Trump’s sentencing in the high-profile hush money case until November 26, three weeks after the U.S. presidential election. This decision comes in response to a request from Trump’s legal team, who argued that an earlier sentencing could unfairly influence the November 5 election.Trump was convicted in May on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to conceal a $130,000 payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels. The payment was allegedly made to silence Daniels about a supposed sexual encounter during Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign, which Trump denies occurred.In explaining his decision, Judge Merchan emphasized the unique nature of the case, stating, ‘This case occupies a unique place in the history of this nation’. He added that the postponement ‘serves the interests of justice’ and should dispel any suggestion of political bias.Trump has celebrated the delay, taking to his Truth Social platform to claim that the ‘witch hunt in Manhattan has been delayed because everyone realizes there is no case’. He maintains his innocence and argues that the case should be dismissed.The postponement also allows Trump’s lawyers to pursue their request to dismiss the conviction based on a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity. Judge Merchan is set to rule on this dismissal motion on November 12.This case has made Trump the first former U.S. president to be convicted on criminal charges. While he could theoretically face up to four years in prison for each charge, experts believe a probationary sentence is more likely.As the legal proceedings unfold, they continue to play a significant role in the ongoing presidential campaign, with Trump framing his legal challenges as political persecution. The impact of this delay on the election remains to be seen, as voters weigh the implications of these unprecedented legal issues facing a major presidential candidate.
Key points
- Judge Juan Merchan has postponed Trump’s sentencing in the hush money case until November 26, after the 2024 presidential election.
- Trump was convicted in May on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to payments to Stormy Daniels.
- Trump’s lawyers are seeking to dismiss the conviction based on a recent Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity.
- This case marks the first time a former U.
S.
president has been convicted on criminal charges.
Contradictions👾While Trump claims the case delay is because ‘everyone realizes there is no case’, the judge’s decision was explicitly made to avoid the appearance of election interference.
👾Trump maintains his innocence, but he was convicted by a jury in May on 34 felony counts.
