'Go to prison': Outrage as Donald Trump's hush money case sentencing delayed amid his presidential immunity defense

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Donald Trump's sentencing in the hush money criminal case has been delayed until September 18, in light of the presidential immunity ruling by the Supreme Court on Monday, July 1.

The decision, made by New York judge Juan Merchan on Tuesday, July 2, ensured the former president will not face sentencing before the Republic National Convention, which is set to occur between July 15 to 18, according to The Hill.

Timing of Donald Trump's sentencing amid election events

Donald Trump's sentencing is set to take place a week after the second presidential debate between Trump and President Joe Biden, scheduled on September 10.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's (D) office, which maintains that Trump's conviction of 34 counts of falsifying business record should stand, consented to the postponement of the scheduled July 11 criminal sentencing hearing. This agreement allows the 78-year-old politician to pursue his presidential immunity defense.

While Trump has not claimed immunity from the charges of falsifying business documents, he contended that the jury's verdict should be nullified due to the Supreme Court’s new test. 

Trump's legal team has time till July 10 to file their motion to overturn the hush money case verdict. Prosecutors with the DA’s office are required to respond by July 24. Judge Merchan is set to rule on whether to set aside the verdict on September 6.

The judge also stated that the former president’s sentencing on September 18 will take place “if such is still necessary."

Donald Trump's hush money case conviction

On May 30, a jury of 12 New Yorkers deliberated for approximately 11 hours before delivering Donald Trump's verdict.

The charges against Trump stemmed from allegations of him falsifying his business records to conceal payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels.

His then-fixer, Michael Cohen paid Daniels to not disclose Trump's alleged affair ahead of the 2016 election. However, the former president denied affair allegations.

Internet criticizes delay in Donald Trump's hush money case sentencing

Reacting to Donald Trump's hush money case sentencing delay amid presidential immunity defense, one X (formerly Twitter) user wrote, "Not ok!"

Another wrote, "He wasn’t president when this happened. He needs to go to prison."

One user penned, "There is no immunity defense here. The judge should toss this as a frivolous delaying tactic. DJT was not president at any time in question here except possibly when he sent some mean tweets (the only kind he knows how to send)."

"Gee, right before the Nov election. Interference!" a netizen commented.

Another individual wrote, "He wants that big visual impact of prison just before election."

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