Donald Trump’s Hush-Money Sentencing Pushed to November 26

A New York judge has granted a postponement of Donald Trump’s sentencing until after the November presidential election. This decision aims to eliminate any potential perception that the ruling could influence the election outcomes, according to New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan.

The new sentencing date is set for November 26 at 10 a.m., which comes three weeks following the election. This delay leaves voters in uncertainty regarding whether Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, might face prison time for his state felonies before they cast their ballots.

In his four-page order, Justice Merchan emphasized the delicate nature of this decision. He noted that it ultimately serves the interests of justice and highlighted the prosecutors’ lack of opposition to the timing change. “The people certainly do not oppose,” he commented, suggesting that their response aligned with the request for an adjournment.

Prosecutors had previously outlined various reasons to support the request for a delay, reinforcing that such adjournments are typically granted when unopposed. A spokesperson for the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office indicated they are prepared for the new sentencing date, reflecting their readiness for the next steps in the case.

Trump’s legal team had previously argued for this rescheduling, contending that the initial date of September 18 could unduly affect the electoral process. Trump expressed concerns about the timing, especially with early voting commencing beforehand.

In an August 14 letter to the court, he stated, “By adjourning the sentencing until after that election, the court would reduce… issues regarding the integrity of any future proceedings.” While confident that he could successfully challenge his conviction based on presidential immunity, Trump believes a delay is prudent given the upcoming judicial calendar.

Justice Merchan has also agreed to postpone his ruling on Trump’s immunity argument until November 12, providing additional time for deliberation. He underscored the court’s commitment to maintaining impartiality, stating that delaying both the decision on immunity and sentencing should mitigate any suggested interference with political processes.

Despite Trump’s optimistic stance on his chances of immunity, legal experts express skepticism. Former judge George Grasso remarked that he would be surprised if Trump’s argument proves successful, given the nature of the allegations stemming from events prior to his presidency.

The case follows a jury’s conviction of Trump on 34 felony counts related to falsifying business records as part of an illegal hush money scheme connected to his 2016 campaign. The jury determined that Trump orchestrated payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels to suppress information about an alleged affair.

This case marks a historic moment; Trump is the first former president in U.S. history to face felony convictions. He continues to deny any wrongdoing related to the charges and contends that he never engaged in a sexual relationship with Daniels.