Juan Merchan opens up on his decision of delaying Trump's hush money sentencing until after election

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Donald Trump will not be facing sentencing in his hush-money case until after the 2024 presidential election, Judge Juan Merchan announced on Friday, September 6.

The sentencing was previously scheduled for September 18, just two months before the upcoming November election.

Donald Trump's hush money case sentencing date

 In a newly released letter, Judge Juan Merchan stated that Trump would be sentenced on November 26, 2024, if necessary.

This decision comes in response to a request from the former president’s legal team to postpone the criminal case sentencing.

On May 30, Trump was convicted on 34 counts of falsifying business records in connection to a hush money payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels who alleged an affair with Trump.

The sentencing has been delayed multiple times as the 78-year-old politician’s lawyers have sought to have the conviction overturned, citing the Supreme Court's recent ruling on presidential immunity.

In his decision, Judge Merchan acknowledged the upcoming presidential election, emphasizing the importance of avoiding any perception that the hush money case sentencing could influence the November election's outcome.

“Adjourning decision on the motion and sentencing, if such is required, should dispel any suggestion that the Court will have issued any decision or imposed sentence either to give an advantage to, or to create a disadvantage for, any political party and or any candidate for any office,” wrote Merchan, according to CNN.

Supreme court's influence and further delays

In addition to delaying sentencing, Judge Merchan indicated he would rule on Trump’s motion to vacate the verdict on November 12, also after the election.

The motion was made following the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on presidential immunity, which Merchan described as a “historic and intervening decision.”

Criticizing the delay, Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung said, “There should be no sentencing in the Manhattan DA’s election interference witch hunt.”

He further argued that, following the decision by the Supreme Court, the criminal case should be dismissed alongside other legal challenges facing Trump.

Internet criticizes Donald Trump's hush money sentencing delay

As Juan Merchan announced hush money case sentencing will be further delayed, netizens criticized the decision.

One user on X wrote, "I feel as if I'm the only one satisfied that his sentencing is after the November Presidential election. Therefore, he can't scream, "Election interference, it's rigged against me, it's Biden's DOJ fault," blah, blah, blah."

"Just sentence him already. Tired of this kid gloves treatment he gets," an individual remarked while another commented, "I truly feel he’s going to get away with EVERYTHING he knows how to play the Courts and he has HELP from The Supreme Court."

"Can’t explain how angry I am, the justice system has failed me. It’s TRUE he is above the LAW," a user opined and another penned, "I still hate this, he’s gotten away with too much already. These cases should have been handled years ago."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.