Manhattan Judge Juan Merchan agreed to delay his decision on Tuesday, Nov. 12, on whether to dismiss President-elect Donald Trump’s New York hush money convictions until Tuesday, Nov. 19. The delay is to give prosecutors and Trump’s lawyers more time for new arguments following the results of the 2024 presidential election earlier this month.
On Tuesday, Merchan was expected to rule on whether to overturn the conviction or order a new trial following the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling.
Trump’s sentencing is now in question as Trump’s lawyers argue his conviction on 34 felony counts should be thrown out. The president-elect’s lawyers now say that charges should be dismissed to “avoid unconstitutional impediments to President Trump’s ability to govern.”
The Manhattan district attorney contends Trump’s conviction should stand, citing “overwhelming” evidence presented during the trial. Prosecutors say Trump’s attorneys did not object when the evidence was presented at trial, only challenging it afterward.
Meanwhile, U.S. special counsel Jack Smith is reportedly in discussions with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) on how to end the federal cases against Trump on election subversion and holding on to classified documents.
