Written by James Anderson.
The judge overseeing former President Donald Trump’s criminal hush money case has delayed sentencing until September 18, according to a letter sent to the involved parties. Judge Juan Merchan’s decision to postpone the sentencing places it right before the November 5 election, creating a potential “October surprise” for the campaign season.
This move follows the Manhattan district attorney’s office indicating they would not oppose Trump’s request for a delay. The request was based on the recent Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity.
Assistant District Attorney Josh Steinglass wrote to Judge Merchan, stating, “Although we believe defendant’s arguments to be without merit, we do not oppose his request for leave to file and his putative request to adjourn sentencing pending determination of his motion.”
Details of the Delay
On Monday, after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Trump has some presidential immunity from criminal prosecution for actions taken to overturn the 2020 election results, Trump’s attorneys asked Judge Merchan to “set aside the jury’s verdict” in the hush money case. Judge Merchan responded by granting a delay in the sentencing until September.
Manhattan prosecutors had no objections to waiting until July 24. Judge Merchan signaled that he would rule on Trump’s motion to set aside his conviction on September 6. Trump has until July 10 to submit his papers, and the DA’s office has until July 24 to respond.
Sentencing was initially scheduled for July 11, just days before Trump is expected to secure the Republican nomination. The new sentencing date is now set for September 18 at 10 a.m. ET.
Controversy Over Presidential Immunity
Trump was found guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records, related to payments to his former attorney, Michael Cohen, classified as legal expenses. Prosecutors argued that these payments were meant to cover up an affair and influence the election. Both Cohen and Stormy Daniels testified against Trump, alleging he covered up the affair to win the election.
Trump’s defense attorneys argue that his conviction should be overturned because prosecutors used evidence and testimony they believe should have been protected by presidential immunity, including Trump’s tweets and testimony from former aide Hope Hicks. “The verdicts in this case violate the presidential immunity doctrine,” defense attorney Todd Blanche wrote. “After further briefing on these issues beginning on July 10, 2024, it will be manifest that the trial result cannot stand.”
Our Take
Judge Merchan’s decision to delay Trump’s sentencing until just before the election is a significant development. The timing raises concerns about the potential influence on the electoral process, highlighting the contentious nature of this case. This situation underscores the importance of maintaining a clear distinction between legal proceedings and political campaigns to ensure fairness and impartiality. The implications of this delay could be far-reaching, impacting both the legal and political landscapes as the election approaches.
