Special Poll
New York prosecutors recently indicated in a court filing that they may be open to delaying sentencing in President-elect Donald Trump’s hush money case until after the end of his potential second presidential term in 2029. This filing comes as prosecutors aim to keep the case active following Judge Juan Merchan’s decision to postpone sentencing after Trump’s re-election.
Trump’s legal team has pushed for the case to be dismissed, arguing that such action would support a smooth transition of power. They have also requested a new trial for Trump, though no decision has been made on that request yet. If the judge dismisses the case, it would mark a major victory for Trump, who became the first U.S. president convicted of a felony yet avoided imprisonment by securing a second term in office. Trump is also facing three other criminal cases, but those have been delayed or weakened in recent months.
Prosecutors acknowledged in the filing that pausing the case until Trump’s second term concludes might be necessary, considering the unique circumstances. They emphasized their understanding of the significant responsibilities and demands of the presidency and admitted that Trump’s return to the White House raises unprecedented legal questions. However, they remain firmly opposed to dismissing the case entirely, as Trump’s lawyers have requested.
Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for Trump, celebrated the postponement of the case as a “total and definitive victory” for the president. Despite this declaration, no official decision has been made regarding the case’s future.
Trump’s re-election has complicated the legal landscape surrounding the charges against him. Earlier in 2024, the Supreme Court ruled that presidents are immune from prosecution for “official acts” performed while in office. This decision has significantly affected the trajectory of the criminal cases Trump faces.
The charges stem from a May conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records related to a hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels during the 2016 election. The payment was intended to suppress claims of an alleged affair, which Trump denies. Despite the conviction, Trump continues to deny any wrongdoing and maintains that the cases against him are politically motivated.