On January 8th, lawyers for U.S. President-elect Donald Trump submitted an application to New York State Judge Juan Merchan, requesting a postponement of the sentencing hearing originally scheduled for January 10th. They argue that more time is needed to initiate an appeal against the conviction. This case involves Trump's "hush money" payment allegations, becoming a legal challenge before his presidency.
Attorneys Request to Postpone Sentencing Hearing
In the legal documents filed, Trump's attorneys stated, "The court should cancel the sentencing hearing scheduled for January 10, 2025, and suspend all other deadlines in this case until President Trump's immunity appeal is fully and finally resolved." They plan to apply to the New York Court of Appeals to overturn the jury's conviction verdict.
Nevertheless, even if the sentencing proceeds as planned, Judge Merchan has previously indicated that he would not sentence Trump to any imprisonment. However, this legal dispute could add political and legal risks to Trump's imminent presidency.
Trump Appeals Judge's Ruling
Trump's legal team is currently appealing two decisions made by Judge Merchan, including a ruling from last week that denied Trump's request to dismiss the judgment based on presidential immunity. The judge determined that Trump does not enjoy such immunity, which has frustrated Trump's efforts to rid himself of the criminal case before the inauguration.
Background and Impact of the Case
The "hush money" case stems from Trump's alleged payment during the 2016 presidential election to cover up personal scandals, with prosecutors accusing him of violating campaign finance laws. This case has become part of Trump's legal challenges and has drawn widespread attention since his election.
Analysts believe that Trump's move to delay the sentencing is not only to gain more time to handle legal affairs but also to avoid further impact on his political reputation and his upcoming new term.
In the future, the development of this case could significantly influence Trump's early political agenda during his presidency and might spark more discussions and controversies regarding presidential immunity in the legal field.
