Donald Trump’s sentencing in the controversial New York “hush-money” case, which was set for July 11, has been postponed.
“The July 11, 2024, sentencing date is… vacated,” reads a letter from Judge Juan Merchan to the former president’s defense team. “The Court’s decision will be rendered off-calendar on September 6, 2024 and the matter is adjourned to September 18, 2024, at 10 a.m. for the imposition of sentence, if such is still necessary, or other proceedings.”
The news comes following Monday’s Supreme Court presidential immunity ruling, in which the justices ruled that President Trump had “absolute immunity from criminal prosecution for actions within his conclusive and preclusive constitutional authority” and said he was “entitled to at least presumptive immunity from prosecution for all his official acts.” In requesting a delay, Trump lawyers stand ready to attempt to vacate his conviction.
Despite the Supreme Court’s ruling, it is unlikely for Merchan to overturn the jury’s verdict. Still, the delay, if anything, is a political setback, considering that the case signifies the first conviction of an American president.
The Trump campaign sent out a fundraising email at 2 p.m. “BREAKING FROM TRUMP: DA AGREES TO DELAY MY SENTENCING IN MY RIGGED NEW YORK CONVICTION!,” it begins.
“Moments ago, I just appealed my RIGGED conviction in New York after our HUGE Supreme Court win,” it continues. “A PRESIDENT NEEDS IMMUNITY! The Witch Hunt trial against me should’ve NEVER happened, but soon, WE WILL BE VICTORIOUS!”
The original schedule had the sentencing just days before the start of the Republican National Convention, where Trump was set to be formally nominated for president.
The idea of the Republican Party nominating a “sentenced criminal” may have excited some Democrats, but for now, they’ll have to make do with “convicted felon.” Trump faces up to four years in prison after being found guilty on thirty-four felony counts of falsifying business records; however, he may receive probation, or as little as a few weeks in jail.
