
(Rightallegiance.com) – A New York judge has postponed the sentencing of former President Donald Trump on felony criminal charges until November 26. The decision, handed down by Judge Juan Merchan, follows a request from Trump’s legal team to delay the sentencing originally set for September 18. The defense sought the delay to allow time for an appeal related to presidential immunity.
In his ruling, Merchan expressed that this decision was not taken lightly, but was necessary in the pursuit of justice. The sentencing delay comes just days before what would have been the first-ever criminal sentencing of a former U.S. president. Trump was convicted on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records tied to hush money payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels during the 2016 election campaign.
Trump’s attorneys, Todd Blanche and Emil Bove, argued that the short timeframe to file an appeal on the presidential immunity ruling—expected just two days before the scheduled sentencing—was insufficient. “A single business day is an unreasonably short period of time,” the attorneys noted in an August 14 filing. They also contended that there was no reason for the process to be rushed.
Prosecutors from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office did not oppose the request to delay the sentencing, stating they would defer to the court. They indicated they were ready for sentencing whenever the court deemed appropriate.
Judge Merchan agreed with the defense’s request for postponement, noting the unprecedented nature of the case and its significance in U.S. history. He emphasized that public confidence in the judicial system requires that the sentencing hearing be free of distractions or distortions caused by the upcoming presidential election. Merchan wrote that the sentencing must focus on the jury’s verdict and should be handled in a manner that respects both the jury’s work and Trump’s constitutional rights.
Merchan also delayed his ruling on the issue of presidential immunity until November 12, two weeks before the new sentencing date and after the 2024 election. He argued that this timeline would help avoid any perception that the case was influenced by the election.
Trump responded on social media, calling the case a political attack and asserting that it had been delayed because “there was NO CASE” against him. He insisted the case should be dismissed as he prepares for what he called the most important election in U.S. history.
Shortly before Merchan’s ruling, Trump criticized the judge during a press briefing in Manhattan, describing him as “very hostile” and referring to the legal cases against him as “hoaxes.”
In a statement, the Manhattan District Attorney’s office reaffirmed that Trump had been convicted by a unanimous jury of 12 New Yorkers and that they stood ready for sentencing on the newly set date.
This is the second time Trump’s sentencing has been postponed. Originally scheduled for July 11, it was first delayed due to an unrelated U.S. Supreme Court ruling that expanded presidential immunity. Trump’s defense argued that this ruling should overturn the verdict in his case, as it involved testimony and evidence that the defense claimed pertained to his official acts as president.
The defense has also tried to move the case to federal court, citing the Supreme Court decision, but U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein rejected the request. Hellerstein stated that the hush money payments were a personal matter unrelated to Trump’s official duties as president, calling them a cover-up of an embarrassing event.
Despite these legal maneuvers, the judge has maintained that the jury’s verdict should stand. Trump’s team continues to pursue appeals, but the case remains on track for sentencing in late November.