On Thursday, August 15, 2024, the Washington Examiner reported that former President Donald Trump filed a motion requesting his sentencing be postponed in his New York hush money case.

According to court documents, Trump’s legal team argued that the sentencing date of September 18th, which is currently scheduled shortly after early voting begins for the next presidential election, would give the appearance of interfering in the election process. They asserted there is no urgency that requires adhering to the current timeline.

Trump’s attorneys further claimed that keeping the sentencing so close to the presidential immunity ruling from Judge Juan Merchan, which is anticipated on September 16th, would not allow sufficient time for an appeal if the judge denies their arguments. The defense is asking Merchan to dismiss the charges against Trump by finding his payments to Stormy Daniels during the 2016 campaign were protected presidential actions.

In addition, Trump’s lawyers reiterated their concerns about a perceived conflict of interest between Judge Merchan and his daughter, Loren Merchan, due to her employment at a political marketing firm that has worked for prominent Democrats opposing Trump in the past like Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden. They contended pushing sentencing after the election could help address complaints about partiality.

The filing also referenced how the Supreme Court ruling that enabled some prosecution of presidents acknowledged the potential for “peculiar public opprobrium.” As such, the defense argued it would be prejudicial to Trump for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg to publicly submit a sentencing memorandum before November’s election.

A jury previously convicted Trump on 34 counts of falsifying records related to a hush money payment he directed to porn actress Stormy Daniels in 2016. While each charge carries up to 4 years in prison, sentencing guidelines typically result in lesser punishment. Judge Merchan has yet to rule on the latest request from Trump’s team seeking to postpone his sentencing beyond Election Day in the high profile New York case.

 

 

Source: Washington Examiner