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Trump Seeks to Delay Sentencing in Hush Money Case Ahead of Inauguration
President-elect Donald Trump has moved to indefinitely postpone his sentencing in a high-profile hush money case, scheduled for later this week. His legal team is appealing a recent court ruling that upheld the conviction, which could make Trump the first U.S. president to take office while convicted of a crime.
Trump’s lawyers argue that the case should be automatically paused while they appeal to a New York court to overturn Judge Juan M. Merchan’s decision. That ruling set sentencing for Friday, just days before Trump’s January 20 inauguration. The legal team claims moving forward with sentencing would force Trump to manage criminal proceedings during his presidency and potentially face another trial if the conviction is overturned.
In his ruling last week, Judge Merchan dismissed Trump’s request to throw out the verdict but indicated he is unlikely to impose any punishment. Trump was convicted on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. The judge suggested that sentencing Trump to an “unconditional discharge” — effectively closing the case without jail time, fines, or probation — might be the best course of action.
Trump has publicly condemned the case, calling it a politically motivated “witch hunt.” On his Truth Social platform, he warned that allowing the ruling to stand could fundamentally alter the presidency.
Trump’s legal team is also challenging Merchan’s earlier refusal to dismiss the case on the grounds of presidential immunity. They contend their appeal should automatically halt all proceedings. If the judge does not agree, they are prepared to seek emergency appellate intervention to stop sentencing from proceeding.
Steven Cheung, a Trump spokesperson, stated that the legal team’s actions aim to halt what they see as an “unlawful sentencing” in a baseless case. Meanwhile, the Manhattan District Attorney’s office, which prosecuted Trump, plans to file a response to these motions.
If sentencing is delayed, the timeline for resolving the case becomes uncertain. Once Trump is sworn in for his second term, he would again be immune from criminal prosecution while in office, potentially delaying sentencing until 2029.
Judge Merchan wrote in his earlier ruling that sentencing Trump promptly serves the interests of justice, allowing the matter to reach closure. Still, he acknowledged the unusual circumstances, suggesting that resolving the case without punishment may be the most practical solution under the circumstances.