New York City Delays Sentencing for Trump Until After 2024 Election
New York City – Former President Donald Trump will not be sentenced in his criminal case until after the 2024 presidential election. Judge Juan Merchan announced on Friday that the sentencing will be pushed back to November 26, if deemed necessary. This decision came in response to a request from Trump’s legal team to delay the sentencing.
Trump was found guilty in May on 34 counts of falsifying business records linked to a hush money payment made to an adult film star, who claimed to have had an affair with him. The sentencing has been on hold for several months as Trump’s lawyers seek to overturn the conviction based on a recent ruling from the Supreme Court regarding presidential immunity. Judge Merchan’s letter indicated that his decision to delay is partly to avoid any suggestion that the sentencing could influence the presidential race.
Judge’s Reasoning
In the letter, Judge Merchan explained that delaying the sentencing would help remove any appearance of bias. He wrote, “Adjourning decision on the motion and sentencing, if such is required, should dispel any suggestion that the Court will have issued any decision or imposed sentence either to give an advantage to, or to create a disadvantage for, any political party and or any candidate for any office.” He emphasized the importance of ensuring that the legal proceedings remain impartial during such a significant election.
Trump’s Reaction
After the announcement, Trump expressed gratitude for the language used by the judge, particularly noting that the sentencing would only commence “if necessary.” During a speech to the Fraternal Order of Police in North Carolina, Trump claimed, “This case should rightfully be terminated immediately,” adding that he did not commit any wrongdoing. He also inaccurately stated that the sentencing was “postponed” because of his innocence.
Political Implications
The timing of the sentencing has raised concerns given the upcoming election set for November 5, and Trump’s team has been vocal about viewing it as a politically motivated move. Trump’s campaign spokesperson, Steven Cheung, called the case “election interference” and urged that it should be dismissed entirely. A spokesperson for the Manhattan District Attorney’s office reaffirmed that a jury had unanimously convicted Trump and expressed readiness for sentencing on the newly set date.
Ongoing Legal Challenges
This postponement adds to a series of delays that have plagued Trump’s criminal cases throughout 2023, in which he has faced indictment in New York, Florida, Washington, D.C., and Georgia. The only case that has gone to trial so far was the New York hush money case. On the other hand, delays have prevented the proceedings in January 6-related cases from advancing.
Judge Merchan also plans to rule on whether to vacate Trump’s verdict related to the Supreme Court’s immunity decision on November 12, another move that occurs after the election. Trump’s legal team has argued that this ruling should allow them to challenge the conviction based on evidence they believe should not have been presented during the trial, including testimonies from former staff members and certain tweets.
Future Prospects
The terms of Trump’s potential sentencing remain uncertain. He could be facing up to four years of prison time, but that remains within the judge’s discretion. Merchan could also opt for alternative punishments, such as probation, home confinement, community service, or fines. The delay means that Trump’s criminal matters will remain somewhat in the background during the critical weeks of his presidential campaign.
This situation exemplifies the ongoing intersection of legal and political challenges faced by Trump, as the path ahead continues to unfold.
