The sentencing in the US President-elect’s “hush money” case has been postponed indefinitely.
A New York judge has adjourned the sentencing of President-elect Donald Trump, following his June conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records related to the 2016 election. Trump’s legal team plans to file a motion to dismiss the “hush money” case entirely.
While prosecutor Alvin Bragg argued that Trump’s payments to his lawyer constituted defrauding American voters, Judge Juan Merchan announced the postponement of the November 26 sentencing hearing.
Judge Merchan has granted Trump’s defense permission to file a motion to dismiss the case by December 2nd. Bragg’s office has until December 9th to respond, with no further replies permitted, according to court filings.
Trump’s attorneys initially requested a December 20th deadline and sought a ruling on presidential immunity, citing a July US Supreme Court decision. Merchan stated he would rule after reviewing both motions.
Bragg’s case centers on a $130,000 payment Trump made to his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, allegedly to silence adult film actress Stormy Daniels about an alleged affair. Prosecutors claim this influenced the 2016 presidential election, which Trump won over Hillary Clinton.
Trump faced charges for each of the 11 invoices, 12 vouchers, and 11 checks issued to Cohen. This marked the first time a former US president faced and was convicted of criminal charges.
“This was a rigged, disgraceful trial,” Trump stated in June after the verdict. “The real verdict will be on November 5, by the people. And we will keep fighting, and we’ll fight till the end and we’ll win.”
Trump subsequently won 312 electoral college votes, all seven swing states, and the popular vote, defeating Vice President Kamala Harris.
Prosecutors, while refusing to drop the case, requested Judge Merchan delay proceedings until the end of Trump’s second term in January 2029. Trump’s lawyers contend that continuing the case during his presidency would create unconstitutional obstacles to governance and advocate for dismissal.
“This is now the longest performance of Hamlet in history, as Judge Merchan continues to debate whether to be or not to be a sentencing judge in the Trump case,” constitutional law expert Jonathan Turley observed on X.