Trump’s Sentencing on NY Hush Money Charges Delayed Indefinitely After Election Triumph

A New York state judge has postponed President-elect Donald Trump’s sentencing for the 34 felony convictions, originally scheduled for next week. The decision came from Judge Juan Merchan, following a request from Trump’s legal team and the New York District Attorney’s office.

This indefinite delay aligns with District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s announcement on Tuesday, indicating he would not oppose Trump’s motion to suspend the case during his upcoming presidential term. This marks a significant moment in legal history, as Trump is the first convict to be elected to the presidency.

For decades, legal experts have argued that a sitting president cannot be subjected to criminal prosecution, further complicating the ongoing situation. In response to the election results, Trump campaign communications director Steven Cheung stated that voters had effectively dismissed the charges against Trump, calling the legal actions a “Witch Hunt.”

Judge Merchan also approved the Trump defense team’s request to file a motion to dismiss the charges. Trump must submit his argument by December 2, with a response from prosecutors due a week later. Bragg has vowed to contest any attempts to dismiss the case.

The jury found Trump guilty of falsifying business records related to hush money payments made to porn star Stormy Daniels, aimed at hiding details of an alleged affair. Each of the 34 convictions carries a maximum penalty of four years in state prison.

Notably, this case is the only one among four prosecutions against Trump that has progressed to trial since he left office nearly four years ago. Meanwhile, U.S. Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith is concluding the two federal cases against Trump, adhering to the policy of not prosecuting sitting presidents. Reports indicate that Smith plans to resign before Trump is inaugurated.

Last updated 11:44 a.m., Nov. 22, 2024