A judge in Donald Trump’s criminal hush money case has indefinitely delayed sentencing, granting the president-elect a legal victory as he prepares to return to the White House.
Trump had been convicted in May on 34 felony counts after a jury determined he manipulated business records to conceal an alleged affair with a porn star before the 2016 election. Prosecutors argued that this concealment aimed to benefit his presidential campaign.
Initially scheduled for sentencing on November 26, 2024, Trump successfully contested the timeline, citing a Supreme Court ruling granting presidents broad immunity for official acts. The judge, Juan Merchan, ordered the delay, allowing Trump to pursue a motion to dismiss the conviction. This move could lead to additional hearings, potentially postponed once Trump resumes office in January.
Trump’s legal team referenced the Supreme Court’s decision, which established sweeping immunity for presidents, to argue for dismissing the case. Prosecutors have strongly opposed this effort, maintaining that the charges are legitimate.
In a related development, Special Counsel Jack Smith sought to vacate deadlines in a separate 2020 election interference case, also delaying proceedings indefinitely. However, the Justice Department has upheld its long-standing policy of not prosecuting sitting presidents.
The Manhattan District Attorney acknowledged the unique nature of Trump’s legal challenges, balancing the jury’s conviction with Trump’s political status. Trump, meanwhile, continues to denounce the case as a politically motivated “witch hunt” and has called for its termination.
In addition to the New York case, Trump faces two federal cases: one related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election and another involving classified documents allegedly mishandled after leaving office.
Read: Trump Fails Again to Remove Judge in Hush Money Case Sentencing
As president, Trump would have the authority to intervene in these cases, and reports suggest Smith is already winding them down. A federal judge, appointed by Trump, dismissed the documents case, though Smith has filed an appeal.
