NY Judge Postpones Donald Trump’s Hush Money Sentencing Indefinitely

In a significant legal development, a New York judge has indefinitely suspended the sentencing of President-elect Donald Trump in his Manhattan criminal case. The decision was made on Friday by New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan, who approved a joint request from both prosecutors and defense attorneys to pause the proceedings while they explore whether Trump, now set to take office, can be sentenced at all.

Justice Merchan stated, “The November 26, 2024, date is adjourned.” Trump maintains that his status as the incoming president grants him immunity from criminal prosecution and is advocating for the entire case to be dismissed prior to his inauguration as the 47th president of the United States.

In a court filing earlier in the week, Trump’s legal team argued, “Immediate dismissal of this case is mandated by the federal Constitution, the Presidential Transition Act of 1963, and the interests of justice.” They claim that Trump’s significant victory in the 2024 election necessitates this legal relief to support a smooth transition of executive power.

However, prosecutors assert that no legal precedent exists to justify Trump’s claim of immunity in this instance, as he was found guilty before winning the election. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg highlighted the respect owed to the office of the presidency while acknowledging the unique legal challenges posed by Trump’s impending inauguration. Bragg emphasized the importance of the jury’s fundamental role in the judicial process.

With sentencing no longer imminent, the delay allows both sides to address this unprecedented situation. This marks the third postponement of Trump’s sentencing. Originally scheduled for July 11, the date was rescheduled to September 18 following a pivotal ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court regarding presidential immunity. Merchan subsequently moved the date to November in order to prevent interference with the presidential election.

After Trump’s election win, his attorneys have been given until December 2 to formally file their motion for dismissal. While Trump has already seen federal criminal cases against him come to a halt following his victory, Bragg’s office signaled that it intends to pursue sentencing regardless.

A Manhattan jury had previously found Trump guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records, linked to a scheme intended to suppress unfavorable media coverage during his 2016 campaign. The prosecution’s case included testimony from Michael Cohen, Trump’s former attorney, who detailed payments made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels to ensure her silence about their past relationship.

Although Trump faces potential jail time for these felonies, the ongoing complications surrounding his sentencing cast uncertainty over the likelihood of such outcomes. Retired New York Judge George Grasso commented on the situation, indicating that Merchan is now tasked with a consequential decision regarding Trump’s claim of immunity, though he does not believe immediate dismissal is mandatory.

As developments unfold, representatives for Trump have yet to respond to requests for comment regarding the latest ruling and its implications.