- Judge Juan Merchan delays sentencing in Donald Trump’s hush money case indefinitely
- Trump convicted of 34 felony counts in May for manipulating business records to cover up alleged sexual encounter
- Sentencing delay a legal win for President-elect Trump ahead of his return to the White House
- Trump’s legal team cites Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity for official acts
- Judge grants Trump leave to seek conviction dismissal, potentially delaying further hearings until after inauguration
A New York judge has indefinitely delayed the sentencing of Donald Trump in his criminal hush money case. This development is a significant legal win for the President-elect as he prepares to return to the White House. Trump was convicted of 34 felony counts in May for fraudulently manipulating business records to cover up an alleged sexual encounter with a porn star ahead of the 2016 election.
Judge Juan Merchan’s decision to delay sentencing came after Trump’s legal team cited a Supreme Court ruling giving presidents sweeping immunity for official acts. This landmark ruling could potentially impact the outcome of Trump’s case. The judge also granted Trump leave to seek to have the conviction thrown out, which may lead to further hearings being delayed until after Trump’s inauguration.
Trump faces two active federal cases, one related to his effort to overturn the 2020 election and the other connected to classified documents he allegedly mishandled after leaving office. However, as president, he would be able to intervene to end those cases.
