The judge presiding over Donald Trump\u2019s hush money trial has decided to delay the former president\u2019s sentencing to September after Manhattan prosecutors agreed to Trump\u2019s request following the recent Supreme Court decision granting him \u201Cabsolute\u201D immunity for \u201Cofficial\u201D acts. Trump, who was initially set to be sentenced on July 11, will now have his arguments considered by Justice Juan Merchan on September 6, with the sentencing date rescheduled to September 18 if needed. This delay means that Trump could potentially face a jail sentence just six weeks before Election Day.
The former president\u2019s attorneys sought to delay the sentencing and block the guilty verdict, citing the Supreme Court\u2019s ruling that shields presidents from criminal prosecution for actions related to their official duties. Prosecutors are preparing to submit their sentencing recommendations, which could be the only significant legal action against Trump before the election. The judge will determine Trump\u2019s sentence, which could range from jail time to fines or community service, based on evidence presented during the trial.
Trump was convicted on 34 counts in connection with paying hush money to an adult film star during the 2016 presidential campaign. Following the Supreme Court\u2019s decision, his attorneys argued that evidence related to his actions as president should not have been considered by the jury. They requested a July 10 deadline to file a motion challenging the verdict based on the new immunity ruling.
Trump\u2019s legal team believes that the Supreme Court\u2019s decision has implications for his hush money case, asserting that evidence of his official acts should not have been admitted during the trial. They argue that the guilty verdict violates the presidential immunity doctrine and poses risks to the Executive Branch. With his sentencing now postponed, the outcome of Trump\u2019s case remains uncertain amidst the evolving legal landscape.
