Judge Juan Merchan postponed the sentencing of former President Donald Trump until September 18, 2024, following a request from Trump’s legal team.
According to Breitbart News, Trump’s lawyers requested the sentencing delay, citing a recent Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity.
Trump's sentencing, initially set for July 11, has been vacated, with a new date set for September 18. This change follows a letter from Trump's attorneys asking for his guilty verdict to be reconsidered in light of the Supreme Court's recent decision.
Judge Merchan emphasized in his letter:
The July 11, 2024, sentencing date is therefore vacated. The Court’s decision will be tendered off-calendar on September 6, 2024, and the matter is adjourned to September 18, 2024, at 10:00 AM for the imposition of sentence, if such is still necessary, or other proceedings.
Trump was found guilty on May 30 by a Manhattan jury on 34 counts of falsifying business records. These charges are connected to payments made to adult entertainment actress Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential election. The original sentencing date was just four days before the Republican National Convention, set to begin on July 15 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
In a letter on Tuesday, Judge Merchan announced the postponement, citing Trump's legal team's request. The Supreme Court's ruling, issued on July 3, played a crucial role in this decision. The ruling clarified that while presidents have limited immunity from criminal prosecutions for official acts, they do not have immunity for unofficial acts.
The Supreme Court's 6-3 decision on presidential immunity has significant implications. It established that a former president is entitled to absolute immunity from criminal prosecution for actions within his constitutional authority. However, this immunity does not extend to unofficial acts.
Judge Merchan stated in his letter that the sentencing date was vacated and rescheduled for September 18. The judge also mentioned that the Court's decision would be tendered off-calendar on September 6, 2024. This decision aligns with the prosecutor's stance, as the Manhattan District Attorney's office did not oppose the delay.
Trump's legal troubles stem from his 2016 presidential campaign. The charges involve falsifying business records in the first degree, linked to hush money payments to Stormy Daniels. The Manhattan jury found Trump guilty on these counts in May.
The delay in sentencing allows both sides to consider the implications of the Supreme Court ruling. Trump's legal team hopes to have the guilty verdict overturned based on the recent Supreme Court decision. This development adds a new layer of complexity to Trump's ongoing legal battles.
The Republican National Convention is looming, set to begin on July 15 in Milwaukee. Trump's delayed sentencing means the legal proceedings won't interfere with this significant political event. The new sentencing date of September 18 will come after the convention, allowing Trump to participate without the immediate cloud of sentencing.
Prosecutors in Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office have agreed to the delay. This cooperation suggests a willingness to navigate the complexities introduced by the Supreme Court ruling. The decision underscores the ongoing legal and political maneuvers surrounding Trump's case.
The delay in Trump's sentencing to September 18, 2024, provides a significant pause in his legal proceedings. This decision, influenced by a recent Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity, allows for further consideration of the guilty verdict against him. The charges stem from payments made during the 2016 election, with Trump found guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records. The delay also conveniently avoids interfering with the Republican National Convention. As legal and political strategies continue to evolve, all eyes will be on the next steps in this high-profile case.
