Donald Trump’s ‘hush money’ trial sentencing delayed to take place after US election

A New York judge has delayed Donald Trump’s sentencing on charges stemming from hush money paid to a porn star until November 26, after the US Presidential election.

The former US president had previously been scheduled to be sentenced on September 18, less than two months before the election.

Trump’s lawyers had argued there would not be enough time before the sentencing for the defense to potentially appeal the ruling on Trump’s request to overturn the conviction.

It comes after the US Supreme Court’s landmark decision on presidential immunity.

Justice Juan Merchan said: “This matter is one that stands alone in a unique place in this Nation’s history

“Unfortunately, we are now at a place in time that is fraught with complexities rendering the requirements of a sentencing hearing, should one be necessary, difficult to execute.”

Prosecutors with Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office argued their case involved Trump’s personal conduct, not official acts, so there was no reason to overturn the verdict.

But they took no position on Trump’s request to delay sentencing, saying in an August 16 filing they deferred to Merchan on the question. The prosecutors said an appellate court could delay the sentencing anyway to give itself time to consider Trump’s arguments, a move they said would be “disruptive.”

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