Former President Donald Trump is requesting that the judge overseeing his criminal hush money case delay his sentencing until after the November general election to avoid any appearance of impropriety. His attorney argues that rushing the sentencing could be perceived as interference in the election, as Trump is the Republican Party’s nominee. Trump was found guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records in connection to a hush money payment to Stormy Daniels before the 2016 presidential election. The sentencing date has already been pushed back once due to a U.S. Supreme Court decision that determined presidents are immune from prosecution for acts related to their official duties.
New York Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan originally scheduled Trump’s sentencing hearing for July 11 but delayed it to September 18 in light of the Supreme Court’s immunity decision. Merchan indicated that he would evaluate how the immunity ruling applies to Trump’s case and issue a sentence based on his findings by September 16. The judge has also denied Trump’s request for recusal from the case for the third time since 2023. While Trump was in office when the business records in question were created, the scheme to conceal the hush money payment predated his presidency and may not be considered part of his official duties.
Trump’s legal team cited the Supreme Court’s immunity decision in their request to push back the sentencing date, highlighting the need for a thorough consideration of how the ruling applies to Trump’s case. The attorneys argue that delaying the sentencing would help avoid any perception of interference in the election and ensure a fair judicial process. The case revolves around allegations that Trump used his personal attorney, Michael Cohen, to disguise the true purpose of the hush money payment to Daniels to enhance his chances of winning the 2016 election.
Trump’s defense team has made multiple attempts to delay the sentencing and has sought the judge’s recusal from the case, raising concerns about the fairness of the legal proceedings. However, Judge Merchan has stood firm in his decision to move forward with the sentencing hearing and reiterated that he will issue a sentence only if he concludes that the verdict should stand in light of the immunity ruling. The outcome of the case and sentencing will ultimately depend on how the judge interprets the applicability of the immunity decision to Trump’s actions in this matter.
As the legal battle continues, Trump’s request for a delay in his sentencing highlights the complexities surrounding the case and the implications of the Supreme Court’s immunity ruling on presidential conduct. The case has garnered significant attention due to its connection to the 2016 election and the allegations of impropriety surrounding the hush money payment. The judge’s upcoming decision on the sentencing and the potential impact on the election underscore the importance of ensuring a fair and impartial judicial process in cases involving high-profile individuals like former presidents.
