Donald Trump's New York hush money sentencing in doubt as Nov. 26 date canceled
President-elect Donald Trump's scheduled sentencing in his New York hush money case was canceled Friday, in the wake of his November victory at the polls. Trump had been set to be sentenced this coming Tuesday, Nov. 26.
Merchan made the decision in a one-page order that directed Trump to file a formal motion to have the case dismissed by Dec. 2, and to have Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg respond by Dec. 9. Trump has indicated he plans to ask for the case to be tossed in order to facilitate the transfer of presidential power after his election victory.
Merchan still needs to rule on Trump's latest efforts to get the case tossed out and, if he rules against the former president, make a decision about future sentencing. Trump or Bragg's office could appeal those decisions.
Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for Trump, described the Friday order as a "decisive win" in a statement.
"All of the sham lawfare attacks against President Trump are now destroyed and we are focused on Making America Great Again," he said.
Bragg's office declined to comment.
Trump was convicted on May 30 of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to cover up a hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 presidential election. Daniels has alleged she and Trump had a sexual encounter back in 2006. Trump has denied her claim.
Whether and when Trump will be sentenced is an open question as Trump tries to get the case tossed out not only based on his election victory, but also based on the Supreme Court's July 1 presidential immunity ruling. Trump is arguing that some of the evidence that came into his trial ran afoul of that ruling.
The sentencing delay adds to the wins for Trump this month in his criminal cases. The Justice Department has been weighing how to wind down Trump's two federal criminal cases in the wake of the election. Department policy states that a sitting president can't be criminally prosecuted.
The two federal cases deal with charges that Trump unlawfully interfered in the 2020 election and mishandled classified documents. The former president also faces charges in Georgia alleging 2020 election interference. The fate of that case is also uncertain as Trump prepares to return to the Oval Office.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump Nov. 26 sentencing canceled, future of hush money case uncertain