Manhattan DA Bragg Challenges Trump’s Sentencing Delay Request

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg opposes President-elect Donald Trump’s request to delay sentencing amid complex legal challenges threatening to overshadow Trump’s upcoming presidency.

At a Glance

Trump’s sentencing date set despite request for delay
Bragg opposes postponements, citing public interest
Legal team argues for immunity and claims proceedings are unjust
Trump remains the first president-elect with a criminal conviction

Sentencing Set Amid Legal and Political Tensions

President-elect Donald Trump is facing sentencing in his hush money case, following a failed attempt to delay proceedings. Manhattan Judge Juan M. Merchan denied Trump’s request to indefinitely postpone the sentencing. Bragg, as District Attorney, firmly opposes these delays, underscoring the importance of a timely prosecution.

Trump becomes the first U.S. president-elect with a criminal conviction, following his guilt for falsifying business records related to a hush money payment to Stormy Daniels. Trump’s legal counsel pleads for delays or intervention by higher courts, potentially extending to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The Manhattan DA's office took no explicit position on Donald Trump's bid to delay his sentencing in the hush money case – currently scheduled for Sept. 18 – until after the election. https://t.co/NgwCrWwIFF

— Luc Cohen (@cohenluc) August 19, 2024

Prosecution’s Firm Stance

Prosecutors emphasize the delays are attributable to Trump, with Alvin Bragg stressing the public interest in conducting a swift prosecution. Trump’s legal team persists with arguments for dismissal based on presidential immunity. This ongoing legal battle highlights the strain between upholding legal procedures and maintaining political stability.

Judge Merchan previously ruled against dismissing the case, hinting no significant punishment for Trump despite felony charges for falsifying business records. This contradicts expectations set by Trump’s defense, heightening tension between judicial outcomes and political implications for Trump’s presidency.

Manhattan DA will fight Trump’s bid to dismiss hush money verdict; won’t oppose sentencing delay @Uebey https://t.co/1wduOucHoY

— Courthouse News (@CourthouseNews) November 19, 2024

Implications of Legal Decisions

The decision to move forward with sentencing bears considerable weight on Trump’s political future, shaping not just immediate perceptions but potentially affecting long-term political engagement. A proposed sentence could range from a fine to prison time, but Judge Merchan hinted at an unconditional discharge, given the case’s context.

The legal team argues a sentencing during Trump’s presidency would unjustly entangle him with criminal proceedings throughout his term, isolating the judicial landscape from the executive branch’s responsibilities. They suggest delaying the legal process until he leaves office in 2029.