NEW YORK — A judge has issued a ruling that President-elect Donald Trump will not face sentencing this month regarding his hush money case. Instead, he has established a timeline for both prosecutors and Trump’s legal team to present their positions on how to move forward in this matter.
With numerous developments in the case following Trump’s recent election victory, it had already become apparent that the original sentencing date of November 26 was no longer feasible. Judge Juan M. Merchan’s decision on Friday made this pause official, although no new date for sentencing has been set.
In his order, the judge requested further submissions from both the prosecution and defense in the coming two and a half weeks. This will allow for discussions on how best to navigate the situation considering Trump’s impending return to the presidency.
Trump’s legal representatives are pushing for the case to be dismissed completely, arguing that its continuation could disrupt Trump’s transition into office and his responsibilities thereafter. On the other hand, prosecutors have expressed a willingness to potentially pause the case during Trump’s time in office, but they are keen to ensure that the case is not abandoned entirely. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg emphasized the need for a resolution that considers the responsibilities of the presidency while also respecting “the sanctity of the jury verdict.”
While Bragg’s office opted not to comment on Friday’s decision, a spokesperson for Trump, who will serve as the incoming White House communications director, characterized the ruling as “a decisive win” for Trump.
In May, Trump, a Republican, was found guilty of falsifying business records to conceal a series of payments totaling $130,000 made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. This payment was funneled through Trump’s former attorney during the final days of the 2016 presidential campaign, primarily aimed at silencing her claims about a past sexual encounter she asserts took place with Trump, who remains adamant in denying the allegations and asserts he acted lawfully.