Former President Trump’s Criminal Sentencing in New York Postponed

Former President Donald Trump’s criminal sentencing has been postponed until Sept. 18, following a request from his legal team following the Supreme Court’s decision on presidential immunity. The delay is a victory for Trump, who is expected to become the official GOP nominee for the 2024 presidential election later this month.

Trump’s sentencing had previously been scheduled for July 11. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and U.S. Attorney Matthew Colangelo were scheduled to testify on Capitol Hill the next day at the request of Republican lawmakers critical of the trial. Prosecutors had previously said they were open to testifying, but only after the sentencing.

Trump’s legal team requested a stay of his sentencing on July 1 after the Supreme Court ruled that presidents — including former presidents — enjoy broad immunity from prosecution for official acts while in office.

The next day, Manhattan District Attorney’s Office prosecutors wrote to New York City Judge Juan Merchan that while they believe the arguments for a delay are without merit, they will not oppose the request.

Trump’s post-trial proceedings have begun

In May, Trump was tried and convicted of 34 felonies, namely falsifying business records in connection with hush-money payments to actor Stormy Daniels, who threatened to go public with allegations of an extramarital affair when Trump first ran for president. A 12-person Manhattan jury reached a unanimous verdict.

After the verdict, Trump completed a routine pre-sentencing interview with the New York City Department of Probation, which was conducted virtually. Prosecutors from the Manhattan district attorney’s office and Trump’s legal teams both filed sentencing recommendations last month. Those documents have not been made public, though he is not expected to go to prison.

Trump also turned his attention to mobilizing donations for his campaign and raising legal fees by using the conviction as a fundraising tool. Within 24 hours of the guilty verdict, Trump’s campaign boasted that it had raised millions of dollars. Trump and his legal team have also vowed to appeal the conviction, a process that could take years.

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