A New York judge has granted a significant delay in the sentencing of former President Donald Trump regarding his criminal hush money case. Judge Juan Merchan’s order effectively postpones the sentencing indefinitely, which was initially scheduled for next Tuesday. This decision comes as Judge Merchan allows Trump’s legal team to file motions seeking to dismiss the case entirely. Trump was previously found guilty on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in this case.
This postponement marks a notable shift in the timeline of the case, granting Trump’s attorneys an opportunity to challenge the conviction. Prosecutors from the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office have indicated they support the delay to accommodate these motions, while simultaneously stating their intention to oppose the dismissal bid.
Trump’s legal team, bolstered by the recent addition of Todd Blanche – also nominated for a high-ranking position at the Department of Justice – had argued forcefully for the dismissal. In a letter to Judge Merchan, Blanche and lawyer Emil Bove asserted that, similar to a sitting president’s immunity from criminal process, President-elect Trump should also be considered immune. Following the court order, Trump’s representatives declared it a “decisive win,” with spokesman Steven Cheung proclaiming the “hoax Manhattan Case is now fully stayed and sentencing is adjourned.”
The hush money case revolves around payments made by Trump’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen, to adult film star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 presidential election. These payments were intended to prevent Daniels from publicly discussing her alleged affair with Trump. Cohen testified that Trump reimbursed him for the $130,000 payment after becoming president. Trump has consistently denied the affair and has characterized the prosecution as politically motivated.
The jury’s guilty verdict in May had set the stage for a sentencing initially scheduled for mid-July, which was subsequently delayed multiple times. These prior delays were partly influenced by ongoing discussions and rulings related to presidential immunity, particularly in light of Supreme Court considerations on the matter.
This New York case stands out as the only one of the four criminal cases against Donald Trump to reach trial before the recent presidential election, which he won against Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump’s electoral victory is widely expected to have significant repercussions for the other pending criminal cases against him.
Specifically, the two federal cases led by special counsel Jack Smith, concerning allegations of election interference and the handling of classified documents, are now widely anticipated to be dropped once Trump assumes office in January. As President, Trump would have the authority to dismiss Smith, a move he has publicly indicated he intends to make. Reports suggest that Smith and his team may resign preemptively.
A separate state-level criminal case in Georgia, also related to election interference allegations, is also currently in a state of suspension and could remain so for an extended period. The indefinite delay in the New York hush money sentencing adds another layer of uncertainty to the complex legal landscape surrounding Donald Trump, as he navigates both legal challenges and his return to the presidency.
