A judge delayed former President Trump's sentencing in his New York hush money case from Sept. 18 to Nov. 26. Judge Juan Merchan wrote that he made the decision "to avoid any appearance — however unwarranted — that the proceeding has been affected by or seeks to affect the approaching Presidential election in which the Defendant is a candidate," Axios reports. The decision "should dispel any suggestion that the Court" handed down a sentence to either help or hurt a party or candidate, he wrote, adding that the court is "apolitical."
Trump's legal team has used a variety of delay tactics in his criminal cases, seeking to punt his legal troubles past the November election. He became the first former president convicted of a felony in May, when he was found guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records to conceal payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. Trump's New York conviction is not eligible for a presidential pardon. Steven Cheung, Trump's campaign spokesperson, said "there should be no sentencing" and the case should be dismissed "as mandated by the United States Supreme Court." Trump's legal team in mid-August requested a delay in sentencing until after the presidential election, claiming that keeping the date constituted election interference. He was originally set to be sentenced in July. Although the conviction carries the possibility of prison time, legal analysts believe Merchan will opt for a less severe penalty.
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