A New York judge is expected to rule on Donald Trump’s request to delay his sentencing in the hush money case until after the November 5 election. Trump is currently scheduled to be sentenced on September 18, following his conviction in May on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to conceal a $130,000 payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels during his 2016 presidential campaign.
Trump’s lawyers argue that the sentencing should be postponed due to the potential impact of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity and to avoid what they claim are “naked election-interference objectives”. They contend that the recent Supreme Court decision, which granted ex-presidents immunity from prosecution for official acts, could affect Trump’s case. However, the court’s ruling emphasized that Trump’s actions were private and unrelated to his presidential duties.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who brought the charges, has not taken a position on the delay request. Judge Juan Merchan is set to decide on September 16 whether to overturn the verdict and dismiss the case based on the immunity argument. The decision on the sentencing delay is expected shortly thereafter.
This case marks the first criminal trial of a former or current U.S. president, and Trump has consistently denied the allegations while pledging to appeal the verdict.
