Judge Refuses To Move Trump’s Sentencing Timeline As Second Term Looms

Man speaking with gestures, woman and men in background.

Alvin Bragg confronts President-elect Donald Trump’s efforts to delay his sentencing for alleged false business records amidst a charged political transition.

At a Glance

President-elect Donald Trump is going forward with sentencing after a judge’s denial to halt it has left his request dismissed.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg challenges the delay as highlighting ongoing legal complexities during Trump’s political transition.
Judge Juan M. Merchan maintains that sentencing will proceed as planned despite Trump’s objection.
The case is part of Trump’s ongoing political and legal narrative as the first president-elect with a criminal conviction.
Trump’s legal team argues prosecutorial delays while appearing virtually due to the presidential transition.

The Push Against Sentencing Delay

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is taking a decisive stand against delaying President-elect Donald Trump’s sentencing over allegations related to falsifying business records. Bragg’s move comes amidst a period of political transition as Trump awaits his upcoming inauguration. Trump’s legal team, emphasizing presidential immunity and other precedents, faces firm resistance from the judiciary in the form of Judge Juan M. Merchan. The judge remains steadfast, ordering the proceedings to continue despite the defense’s attempt at postponement.

The controversial case involves allegations that Trump falsified business records in a scheme to conceal a hush money payment during his 2016 campaign. Trump, the first president-elect to take office with a criminal conviction, might face up to four years in prison alongside potential fines or probation. Still, both his legal team and Bragg acknowledge the unlikely possibility of facing any severe penalty due to these charges.

Legal Maneuvering Amid Political Implications

Trump’s attorneys plan their next steps, potentially appealing to higher courts, such as the U.S. Supreme Court, to delay the sentencing indefinitely. “Today, President Trump’s legal team moved to stop the unlawful sentencing in the Manhattan D.A.’s Witch Hunt,” noted Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung, indicating the defense’s strong objections to the proceedings.

The Manhattan DA's office took no explicit position on Donald Trump's bid to delay his sentencing in the hush money case – currently scheduled for Sept. 18 – until after the election. https://t.co/NgwCrWwIFF

— Luc Cohen (@cohenluc) August 19, 2024

The Road Ahead

As the legal battle unfolds, the Manhattan prosecutors emphasize public accountability, arguing that Trump should not bemoan delays he himself instigated. Judge Merchan’s firm approach aligns with this sentiment, ensuring that Trump’s appearance, albeit virtually due to presidential commitments, remains mandatory. Legal and public interest in this high-profile case converges during a critical phase of political transition.

The Justice Department’s longstanding stance that a sitting president holds immunity from criminal proceedings complicates such high-profile cases. If Trump’s legal team pushes for postponement until post-inauguration, the process could well extend beyond his term. This intricate interplay of law and politics forms a pivotal chapter as Trump transitions from president-elect to commander-in-chief.

#Breaking: Prosecutors for Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg said they are not opposed to delaying Donald Trump's sentencing for his criminal conviction in the wake of the Supreme Court's ruling that former presidents enjoy broad immunity for official acts. https://t.co/bQxmKD2U1P

— CBS New York (@CBSNewYork) July 2, 2024