Former President Donald Trump’s sentencing for the guilty verdict in the highly publicized hush money trial will not take place until after the 2024 presidential election. Judge Juan Merchan, who presided over the trial, has delayed the sentencing until November 26th to avoid any perception of political influence. The sentencing was originally scheduled for September 18th, but Trump’s legal team argued that this date would interfere with the election campaign.
The delay allows for more time to consider a potential dismissal of the case, based on a recent Supreme Court ruling regarding presidential immunity. Trump’s lawyers have requested the case be dismissed, and Judge Merchan will make a decision on November 12th. Additionally, Trump is appealing a federal court ruling that rejected his request to move the case from the state court to a federal court, which could potentially lead to the verdict being overturned.
Trump was found guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records related to a hush money payment made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election. He faces a maximum sentence of four years for each count, though experts predict he is likely to receive lesser punishments like probation or fines due to his lack of a criminal record.
Despite the ongoing legal proceedings, Trump maintains his innocence and has repeatedly called the trial a ‘witch hunt’ and an attempt to interfere with the election. He plans to appeal the verdict, but this process cannot begin until after sentencing.
The delay in sentencing has raised concerns about the potential for election interference and how it may impact Trump’s campaign. A sentence of probation or home confinement could have presented challenges for his ability to campaign effectively. However, even a prison sentence would not prevent Trump from running for president or managing his media company, Trump Media & Technology Group.
