Trump's Sentencing Delayed Again Amid Election Season
A New York judge has once again pushed back former President Donald Trump's
sentencing in his criminal case, giving him a little more breathing room before
facing the music. This decision means Trump won’t learn his sentence for the
"hush money" case until after the upcoming presidential election.
Originally, Trump's sentencing was set for September 18. But his legal team
requested a delay on August 14, arguing that ongoing legal challenges needed to
be sorted out first. And now, thanks to Justice Juan Merchan, that sentencing
date has been moved to November 26.
The Court’s Intentions
In his ruling, Merchan made it clear that the postponement was to avoid any
appearance that the court might be playing into politics. With the presidential
election just around the corner, the judge didn’t want anyone thinking the
court’s actions were influenced by—or trying to influence—Trump’s run for
office.
"The Court is a fair, impartial, and apolitical institution,"
Merchan emphasized. He added that pushing the date back would dispel any notion
that the court's decision might sway voters one way or the other.
Trump's Conviction and the Case Background
This all stems from Trump’s conviction in May when a unanimous jury found
him guilty of 34 felony counts for falsifying business records. The case
centers around a scheme to cover up reimbursements Trump made to a lawyer who
wired a $130,000 "hush money" payment to adult film star Stormy
Daniels just days before the 2016 election. Daniels had alleged an affair with
Trump, something he has repeatedly denied.
While the charges carry a potential sentence of up to four years in jail,
many legal experts believe Trump might not see the inside of a cell. His status
as a first-time offender and the nature of the crime could lead the judge to
opt for alternatives like probation.
Previous Delays and Legal Maneuvering
This isn’t the first time Trump’s sentencing has been delayed. Initially,
the sentencing was scheduled for July 11, but that was postponed after Trump’s
lawyers filed a motion citing a recent Supreme Court ruling on presidential
immunity. The judge is expected to rule on that motion by September 16.
Trump’s attorneys, Todd Blanche and Emil Bove, made a case for yet another
delay, arguing that handing down a sentence during early voting in the
presidential election would be inappropriate. They also pointed out that the
legal challenges to his conviction are still in motion, and rushing the
sentencing could raise questions about the fairness of future proceedings.
Their argument boiled down to this: delaying the sentencing would help
ensure the integrity of any legal steps that follow. And while Manhattan
District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office didn’t outright oppose the delay, they
left the final decision to the court.
Trump’s Attempts to Move the Case
Throughout this case, Trump has made multiple efforts to shift the
proceedings to federal court. Twice, he requested the case be removed from
state jurisdiction, but a federal judge turned him down each time. Judge Alvin
Hellerstein made it clear that the "hush money" scheme was a personal
matter, unrelated to Trump’s official duties as president.
Hellerstein's rulings, most recently in September 2023, reinforced the idea
that the payment to Daniels was not connected to any executive action, keeping
the case firmly in state court.
A Packed Legal Calendar for Trump
Trump’s legal troubles extend beyond this criminal case. On the same day as
Merchan's ruling, Trump was attending another court session nearby. This time,
it was for his appeal of a civil judgment from 2023, where a jury concluded
that he likely sexually abused and defamed writer E. Jean Carroll.
Trump has denied the allegations in both the Carroll case and his criminal
cases. He’s also facing charges in three other criminal matters, including two
related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election and a now-dismissed case
involving the handling of confidential documents from his time in the White
House.
What’s Next for Trump?
As November 26 approaches, all eyes will be on how the legal battles unfold
alongside Trump’s campaign efforts. The delay in sentencing means voters won’t
see Trump face consequences in this case before casting their ballots. However,
the timing of the decision, coming just after the election, could still have
significant implications for his political future.
While Trump’s team continues to fight the legal battles and push for more
delays, the fact remains that the former president's legal challenges are far
from over. Whether or not he’ll serve jail time is up in the air, but the drama
surrounding his cases will undoubtedly continue to be a major story in the coming
months.
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