Former President Donald Trump’s sentencing for a New York hush money conviction will have to wait until after the 2024 presidential election. Manhattan Judge Juan Merchan agreed on Friday, Sept. 6, to postpone handing down the sentence until Nov. 26, right before Thanksgiving, marking the second time it has been delayed.
The sentencing, originally scheduled for July 11, was pushed back the first time because of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity, which moved the July date to Sept. 18. Now, the presidential race complicates the matter.
Merchan wrote in his ruling that he is delaying the sentencing “to avoid any appearance the proceeding has been affected by or seeks to affect the approaching presidential election in which the defendant is a candidate. The court is a fair, impartial and apolitical institution.”
He added, this “should dispel any suggestion” otherwise.
Trump’s lawyers said punishing Trump in the homestretch of his presidential campaign would amount to election interference. The defense also argued that delaying the sentencing allows them more time to determine their next steps after Merchan eventually rules on Trump’s request to throw out the conviction on the grounds of presidential immunity.
Merchan also delayed that decision until Nov. 12.
A jury found Trump guilty on all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in May. The former president faces up to four years in prison, but legal experts note that he is likely to only get probation or community service.
