Trump secures legal victory as transition plans move forward
President-elect Donald Trump’s sentencing for his May criminal conviction has been delayed once again, as ruled by a judge on Friday.
The sentencing for Trump has been delayed for the third time since he was found guilty for his involvement in a cover-up of a “hush money” payment. As a result, Trump is still awaiting his fate following his historic conviction in May.
Justice Juan Merchan extended the deadline for Trump’s lawyers to file a motion seeking the dismissal of the case until December 2. Trump’s legal team has put forth the argument that the case should be thrown out on the basis of his presidency.
In a letter to Merchan, prosecutors from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office stated that they do not object to postponing the sentencing, including the possibility of delaying it until after Trump’s presidency. However, they made it clear that they would vigorously oppose any attempt to dismiss the case.
Trump’s attorneys argued on Tuesday night that the conviction should be invalidated and the case dismissed, citing Trump’s presidential election as grounds for such action. They contended that proceeding with the case would violate the constitution.
In May, a jury of 12 unanimously convicted Trump of crimes, making him the first former president in American history to face such a conviction. On Nov. 5, just under half of voters elected Trump as president, making him the first person in American history to be elected after being convicted of crimes.
The jury has determined that Trump is guilty of committing 34 felonies. This conclusion was reached after approving a scheme to conceal reimbursements made to his former attorney and fixer, Michael Cohen. The reimbursements were related to a $130,000 payment that Cohen made to Stormy Daniels, an adult film star, shortly before the 2016 presidential election. Both Cohen and Daniels have stated that the payment was intended to ensure her silence regarding an alleged sexual encounter with Trump. This payment is commonly referred to as “hush money.”
Despite being convicted of falsifying business records, Trump maintains his innocence and strongly denies Daniels’ account.