Trump Sentencing Delayed Until After Election as Presidential Race Tightens
New York, The Gulf Observer: The sentencing of former U.S. President Donald Trump in his New York “hush money” trial has been postponed until after the November 2024 election, where he faces off against Democratic contender Kamala Harris in a highly competitive race for the White House. Trump, who was originally scheduled to be sentenced on September 18 for falsifying business records, will now have his sentencing hearing on November 26—three weeks after the election.
The delay was granted by Judge Juan Merchan following a request from Trump’s legal team. In his ruling, Merchan emphasized that the decision was not made lightly but was necessary to uphold the interests of justice. “This is not a decision this Court makes lightly but it is the decision which in this Court’s view, best advances the interests of justice,” Merchan wrote.
The case stems from Trump’s May 2024 conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records in connection with payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels in an attempt to suppress damaging information during the 2016 presidential campaign. Trump has consistently denied the allegations and labeled the case a political “witch hunt.” Reacting to the sentencing delay on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump called for the case’s termination, claiming, “This case should be rightfully terminated as we prepare for the Most Important Election in the History of our Country.”
The decision to delay sentencing comes just days before Trump and Vice President Harris are set to face off in a presidential debate, further heightening tensions in an already extraordinary election cycle. Harris, who is vying to become the nation’s first female president, has campaigned on the message of turning the page on the Trump era, while Trump remains focused on appealing to key voting blocs, including suburban women.
In an unexpected legal twist, Trump’s lawyers have also filed a motion to dismiss his conviction, citing a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that grants broad immunity to former presidents from criminal prosecutions. Judge Merchan is expected to rule on this motion by November 12.
The political and legal developments are unfolding just as mail-in voting begins in key battleground states. North Carolina, a critical swing state, was set to distribute absentee ballots to around 130,000 voters on the same day the postponement was announced. However, a state appeals court temporarily halted the process after a lawsuit by independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who recently withdrew from the race and endorsed Trump.
Harris, meanwhile, reported a record-breaking fundraising haul of $361 million in August, nearly triple Trump’s total. Polls indicate that the race is exceedingly close, with Harris leading Trump by a slim 0.2 percent margin in crucial swing states.
As both candidates gear up for a high-stakes election, the delay in Trump’s sentencing ensures that legal and political narratives will continue to intersect in the coming weeks.
