On Friday, Judge Juan Merchan granted President-elect Donald Trump’s request to file a motion to dismiss the criminal charges against him in New York. The decision also indefinitely postponed Trump’s sentencing in the hush money case, marking a significant legal development as Trump prepares to take office on January 20.
Trump’s legal team now has until December 2 to file their motion to dismiss the charges, while Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office must respond by December 9. Merchan’s ruling came in response to a joint request from both parties to pause proceedings, citing the unprecedented legal implications of sentencing an incoming U.S. president.
The case stems from Trump’s conviction in May on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. These charges are tied to $130,000 in payments made by Trump’s former attorney, Michael Cohen, to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. The payments were allegedly intended to silence Daniels about an affair Trump has denied. Prosecutors argue that the reimbursements were fraudulently recorded to cover up the payments ahead of the 2016 presidential election.
Trump’s lawyers assert that the state charges, brought by a Democratic district attorney, are politically motivated and create unconstitutional barriers to his ability to govern. They cited the Presidential Transition Act and existing Justice Department policies against prosecuting sitting presidents as grounds for dismissing the case.
The Manhattan district attorney’s office acknowledged the unique circumstances but rejected the claim that Trump is immune from prosecution, noting that his conviction occurred before his re-election. Bragg urged the court to respect both the office of the presidency and the jury’s role in the constitutional system, suggesting a suspension of proceedings until Trump completes his presidential term.
This ruling adds another layer of complexity to Trump’s mounting legal battles. In addition to the New York case, he faces state and federal charges over efforts to overturn the 2020 election and alleged mishandling of classified documents. While Trump has denied all charges, his legal woes are likely to shape his presidency and public discourse.
With the sentencing delay, the court has not set a new date for further proceedings. For now, both parties await Judge Merchan’s decision on Trump’s motion to dismiss, a ruling that could significantly impact the trajectory of this historic case.
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