A New York judge has postponed the sentencing of former President Donald Trump, originally scheduled for November 26, as his legal team continues to push for the dismissal of his conviction on 34 felony fraud charges.
Trump was convicted in May for falsifying business records in connection with a 2016 hush-money payment made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. Prosecutors argued the payment was an effort to interfere with the presidential election by preventing damaging allegations from reaching voters. Trump has denied any wrongdoing, claiming the case is politically motivated and that he did not have an affair with Daniels.
Trump’s attorneys have requested that the conviction be overturned, citing presidential immunity and arguing that a sentence would interfere with his duties as president. They contend that, based on a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling, presidents are immune from prosecution for certain actions taken while in office. In the case of Trump’s federal election interference, the Supreme Court ruled that such immunity could apply. Trump’s lawyers now argue this immunity should extend to his New York fraud conviction.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who prosecuted the case, plans to oppose the dismissal, but has suggested that the sentencing could be delayed until after Trump’s second term, which begins in late January. On Friday, Justice Juan Merchan ordered both parties to file briefs on the matter by December. Merchan has paused the sentencing proceedings, leaving the court in a race against time as Trump’s presidential inauguration approaches.
In May, Trump was convicted of falsifying records related to reimbursements to his personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, for the hush money. Prosecutors argue that the payment amounted to election interference. Trump’s legal team, however, maintains that the case is part of a broader politically motivated effort to undermine him.
Trump’s communications director, Steven Cheung, described the delay as a victory for the former president, calling the case a “hoax.” Since Trump’s election as president, his legal team has intensified efforts to have the conviction dismissed.
The upcoming deadlines will shape the future of the case, with Trump’s attorneys required to submit their full argument for dismissal by December 2. Prosecutors must respond by December 9, after which no further briefs will be accepted. The judge’s next steps could have significant implications for the legal and political landscape as Trump prepares for his second presidential term.
