Trump Requests Delay of Sentencing in Hush Money Case Until After Presidential Election

NEW YORK — Former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is seeking to postpone his sentencing in the criminal hush money case until after the upcoming presidential election in November. Trump’s legal team contends that the current sentencing date of September 18 is influenced by motives of election interference.

According to Philippines News Agency, Todd Blanche and Emil Bove, to New York Judge Juan Merchan, who is presiding over the case, they argue there is no pressing need to adhere to the scheduled date. “There is no valid countervailing reason for the Court to keep the current sentencing date on the calendar. There is no basis for continuing to rush. Accordingly, we respectfully request that any sentencing, if one is needed, be adjourned until after the Presidential election,” the letter stated.

Judge Merchan had previously agreed to a delay in sentencing following a U.S. Supreme Court decision regarding presidential immunity, setting the new date in September at Trump’s request. Trump was convicted in May on 34 felony counts related to payments made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign, marking him as the first U.S. president to be convicted of felony criminal charges.