Donald Trump speaks out on hush money case delay, says 'everyone realizes' his innocence
MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: Former president Donald Trump reacted to Judge Juan Merchan's decision to delay his sentencing in the hush money case until after Election Day.
The case stems from an investigation by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, resulting in Trump being found guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records.
Initially, the sentencing was scheduled for September 18, but Trump's legal team requested a delay until after the November presidential election, citing "naked election-interference objectives."
Judge Juan Merchan delays Donald Trump's hush money case sentencing
Judge Juan Merchan granted Donald Trump's request to delay his sentencing in the case until after the presidential election.
The new sentencing date is set for November 26, following the elections.
This decision came after Trump’s legal team argued that the original date, September 18, fell too close to Election Day and could interfere with the ongoing campaign.
Judge Merchan acknowledged the "unique time frame" in which the case currently finds itself.
In his ruling, the judge explained the need to avoid any political interference, writing that "the integrity of our judicial system demands" that the sentencing process be "free from distraction or distortion."
The judge highlighted that this case "stands alone, in a unique place in this nation’s history."
Donald Trump says hush money case should be dead as he's innocent
After the sentencing delay, Trump spoke to Fox News, reiterating his stance that the case should never have been brought against him.
"The case was delayed because everyone realizes there was no case and I did nothing wrong," Trump said.
"It is a case that should never have been brought." Trump further stated that the public and legal experts agree with his position on the case, adding that "every legal scholar that has looked at it and studied it" supported his view.
The former president also expressed that the delay further proves the lack of merit in the charges against him.
"I greatly respect the words ‘if necessary’ being used in this decision because there should be no, ‘if necessary,'" Trump said, expressing his belief that the case "should be dead."
Donald Trump's campaign comments on delay of hush money case sentencing
In addition to Donald Trump's comments, Steven Cheung, a spokesperson of the Trump campaign, criticized the Manhattan District Attorney's case, referring to it as part of a broader "election interference witch hunt."
Cheung argued that "there should be no sentencing in the Manhattan DA’s election interference witch hunt," adding that, as per a mandate from the United States Supreme Court, the case "should be dismissed."
Cheung also referenced other cases against Trump, describing them as "Harris-Biden hoaxes" and suggesting that all such cases should be dropped.
The campaign continues to argue that the legal proceedings are politically motivated as Trump faces his presidential run.
