A New York judge has delayed former President Donald Trump’s sentencing in the hush money case led by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.
Justice Juan Merchan rescheduled the sentencing -- in which Trump could receive prison time -- for Nov. 26, moving it beyond the presidential election, as Just the News reports.
The sentencing stems from Trump’s conviction earlier this year on 34 counts of falsifying business records. These charges are related to a 2016 payment made by Trump’s former attorney, Michael Cohen, to adult film star Stormy Daniels. The payment was made in an effort to keep Daniels from publicly discussing her alleged affair with Trump, a claim the former president has consistently denied.
The sentencing was originally scheduled for July 11, but was first postponed to Sept. 18. Now, in a second delay, the new date has been set for November 26. This timing moves it to just after the upcoming presidential election, in which Trump is once again seeking to win the White House.
Trump’s legal team had sought to delay the sentencing further while filing motions to dismiss the charges. His attorneys argue that the former president’s actions should have been protected under presidential immunity, given that the payment to Daniels was made during his 2016 campaign. This legal strategy has sparked debate among legal experts and political commentators.
A hearing was also scheduled for Sept. 16 to address Trump’s claims to immunity, but that has also been postponed. The hearing could play a significant role in the trajectory of the case moving forward.
In addition to seeking delays, Trump has asked the court to dismiss the guilty verdict entirely. His legal team contends that critical evidence and testimony should have been excluded, citing a recent ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court that could influence the former president's claims of presidential immunity.
Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing, maintaining that the payment to Daniels was a personal matter and not a violation of campaign finance laws. He has framed the case as politically motivated, suggesting that the charges were part of a broader effort to derail his 2024 campaign.
The delay in sentencing gives Trump more time to focus on his presidential run without the immediate distraction of a legal ruling hanging over his head. However, the ongoing legal battles ensure that the case will remain a significant part of the political landscape.
The Manhattan District Attorney’s office, under Bragg, has indicated it will continue to pursue the case vigorously. Bragg has faced significant pressure from both political supporters and detractors, many of whom argue that the case has broader implications for the rule of law and the accountability of elected officials.
For Trump, the delay represents both a temporary reprieve and an ongoing challenge. While he avoids immediate sentencing, the legal questions surrounding the case will likely remain a focus as his campaign progresses.
As the Nov. 26 sentencing date approaches, the intersection of Trump’s legal troubles and his political ambitions will continue to be a topic of significant public interest. Both his critics and supporters will be watching closely to see how the case unfolds and what impact, if any, it has on the broader election campaign.
The former president’s future, both in the courtroom and on the campaign trail, remains uncertain as legal battles continue to swirl around him.
