Judge Juan Merchan has postponed former President Donald Trump’s sentencing in the New York v. Trump case until November 26, 2024. The sentencing was initially scheduled for September 18.
In a letter issued Friday, Judge Merchan explained that the delay was necessary to ensure that the sentencing hearing remains free from any distractions related to the upcoming presidential election.
“The public’s confidence in the integrity of our judicial system demands a sentencing hearing that is entirely focused on the verdict of the jury and the weighing of aggravating and mitigating factors,” Merchan wrote.
The arguments over sentencing follow Trump’s conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records related to the $130,000 Stormy Daniels ‘hush’ payments.He cited the case’s complex and unique timing as the reason for the postponement, aiming to avoid any appearance of election interference.
Trump was convicted on all 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree following a six-week trial stemming from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s investigation.
Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for Trump’s campaign, criticised the delay, asserting, “There should be no sentencing in the Manhattan DA’s Election Interference Witch Hunt. As mandated by the United States Supreme Court, this case and all of the other Harris-Biden Hoaxes should be dismissed.”
Initially, Trump’s sentencing was set for July 11, just days before the Republican National Convention, when he was expected to be officially nominated as the 2024 GOP presidential candidate.
The sentencing was first rescheduled to September 18, and Trump’s legal team subsequently requested another delay until after the election, citing concerns of election interference.
Trump has appealed the verdict, maintaining his not-guilty plea. His attorney, Todd Blanche, argued that the Supreme Court’s ruling on presidential immunity should lead to the verdict’s overturn. Blanche also pointed to Judge Merchan’s daughter’s employment with Authentic Campaigns, representing Democratic candidates, suggesting a potential conflict of interest.
The Supreme Court’s ruling in Trump v. United States established that a former president has immunity from prosecution for “official acts” but left it to lower courts to define the boundary between official and unofficial acts.
Trump has also sought to transfer the New York criminal trial to federal court, alleging constitutional violations. However, U.S. District Court Judge Alvin Hellerstein denied this request, asserting that the Supreme Court’s ruling did not alter his view that the hush money payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels were private, unofficial acts not related to presidential duties.
