New York – The sentencing of former President Donald Trump in his New York hush money case may face a delay as Manhattan district attorney considers the impact of a recent Supreme Court ruling on immunity. Trump’s lawyers have requested an extension to seek to vacate his conviction, a move that the district attorney’s office is not opposed to.
The Manhattan district attorney noted in a letter to the court that the sentencing scheduled for July 11 may need to be postponed to allow the defense to present arguments on how the Supreme Court decision could influence Trump’s state court prosecution. Trump was convicted on 34 felony counts related to falsifying business records to cover up a payment to an adult-film actress before the 2016 presidential election, with evidence linking the conduct to his time as president.
The recent historic Supreme Court ruling granted presidents broad immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts, leading to questions about the evidence used in Trump’s case. New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan has already ruled that Trump’s actions in the case were not related to his official duties as president, a decision that may impact the ongoing legal proceedings.
As both sides prepare their arguments, Trump’s attorneys have requested a filing deadline of July 10, with prosecutors seeking a response deadline of July 24. If the requested schedule is approved, the sentencing could be delayed for weeks. Prosecutors have indicated that they do not oppose a delay but have criticized the defense’s arguments regarding the Supreme Court ruling.
Since the start of the case, Trump’s legal team has argued for immunity from prosecution due to the timing of the alleged conduct during his presidency. The case involves reimbursements to his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, that were falsely classified and not reported on campaign spending disclosures. The trial included evidence and testimony related to events during Trump’s time in office, with the defense challenging the use of certain evidence under the immunity doctrine.
The complexity of the legal proceedings comes as the 2024 presidential race heats up, with Trump facing several criminal indictments and civil judgments. If his conviction stands, he could face up to four years in prison in the false-records case, while other cases related to election interference and government records loom in the background. Despite the legal challenges, Trump and his team maintain their innocence and allege political targeting.