The Manhattan justice presiding over Donald Trump’s hush money case has pushed the former President’s sentencing to November 26th after Election Day.
This move from Justice Juan M. Merchan is a huge win for the Trump campaign, as they head into the final stretch of the 2024 US presidential elections. Before Justice Merchan moved the sentencing to November 26th, the sentence was set to be handed down on September 18th, which lands squarely in the most intense weeks leading up to US Election Day.
In a four-page ruling, Justice Merchan cited the “unique time frame this matter currently finds itself in” as one of the main reasons for delaying Trump’s sentencing. “This matter is one that stands alone in a unique place in this nation’s history,” said Justice Merchan.
In his ruling, Justice Merchan showed the desire not to have the political biases of the election weigh over the sentencing of the case and challenge the integrity of the US judiciary.
“The Court is a safe, impartial, and apolitical institution,” Justice Merchan said in the ruling. “Adjourning decision on the motion and sentencing, if such is required, should dispel any suggestion that the Court will have issued any decision or imposed sentence either to give an advantage to, or to create a disadvantage for, any political party and or any candidate for any office.”
Trump’s sentencing and reaction to the delay
Trump faces up to four years in prison for being found guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records to cover up hush money payments made to adult actress Stormy Daniels. However, Justice Merchan could significantly reduce the length of the sentence or even put the former President on probation.
The delay should affect not only the impartiality of Trump’s sentencing but also the election outcome, as voters now don’t know if the candidate they pick could end up in a prison cell. However, this also means that US election votes will not be influenced by anything other than the presidential campaigns.
Trump celebrated the sentencing delay on his social media platform Truth Social, calling the case a “witch hunt” and stating that he had not been involved in any suspicious actions.
“This case should be rightfully terminated as we prepare for the Most Important Election in the History of our Country,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social. He added, “It is a political attack against me by Comrade Kamala Harris and other Radical Left Opponents for purposes of Election Interference.”
Danielle Filson, a spokesperson for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, said in a statement: “A jury of 12 New Yorkers swiftly and unanimously convicted Donald Trump of 34 felony counts.” Filson also noted they stand ready for the delayed sentencing.