Manhattan DA Agrees to Delay Trump’s Hush Money Sentencing; Awaiting Judge’s Approval

In a development favoring Donald Trump, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has decided not to oppose the former President’s request to delay his sentencing in the hush money case, which was initially set for July 11. Trump had filed a motion on Monday to overturn his criminal conviction in this case. (REUTERS Photo)

Assistant District Attorney Josh Steinglass conveyed in a letter to Judge Juan Merchan that while they believe Trump’s arguments lack merit, they do not oppose his request to file a motion and to postpone the sentencing until a decision on his motion is made.

This decision follows Trump’s move on Monday to challenge his criminal conviction in light of a recent US Supreme Court ruling that grants a former president significant immunity for actions taken while in office.

On May 30, a Manhattan jury found Trump guilty on 34 counts of falsifying documents related to a hush money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels. The payment was allegedly made to keep her quiet about their supposed affair before the 2016 presidential election.

What Trump’s Lawyers Are Saying

On Monday, Trump’s legal team wrote to Judge Juan Merchan seeking permission to file a motion to overturn the convictions. They argued that certain evidence and testimony should have been protected by presidential immunity. This includes a government ethics form, several tweets from Trump, and testimony from former Trump aide Hope Hicks.

Todd Blanche, one of Trump’s lawyers, argued that the convictions violate the presidential immunity doctrine and pose serious risks to the Executive Branch. He stated that further discussions on these issues, starting on July 10, 2024, would show that the trial’s outcome cannot stand.

Trump’s legal team highlighted Hicks’ testimony, where she mentioned that Trump wanted the details of his alleged affair with Stormy Daniels, which he denies, to be made public after the 2016 election. Hicks testified that Trump believed it was better to address the issue then rather than having it surface before the election.

Trump’s lawyers are now focusing on a part of the Supreme Court’s ruling that states: “Testimony or private records of the President or his advisers probing such conduct may not be admitted as evidence at trial.”

Additionally, Trump’s attorneys argued that the Office of Government Ethics’s 2018 submission, phone data from Trump’s administration, and social media posts about his former attorney Michael Cohen should not have been allowed as evidence.

Manhattan DA Requests Time to Respond

District Attorney Bragg has asked for time to submit and serve his response by July 24, which is two weeks after Trump’s requested deadline.

Trump’s sentencing was originally scheduled for July 11, just days before the Republican National Convention, where Trump is expected to receive the official nomination for the Republican presidential candidacy in 2024.