The verdict in Donald Trump’s Manhattan criminal hush money case has been postponed indefinitely as lawyers on both sides debate the future of the case in light of Trump’s recent election victory.
Judge Juan Marchan, who is overseeing Trump’s case, did not specify a new sentencing date in a one-page scheduling order Friday.
Mr. Marchand said in his decision that Mr. Trump’s lawyers have until the close of business on December 2 to file arguments seeking dismissal. The prosecution has one week to respond.
The development comes in the wake of complaints from prosecutors and defense attorneys over their views on how Trump’s case should proceed after he defeats Kamala Harris in the 2024 election. .
President Trump’s press secretary, Stephen Chan, issued a statement calling the decision a “decisive victory.” But he reiterated the president-elect’s claim that the case, in which Trump was found guilty of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, was a “hoax.”
Mr. Trump’s lawyers on Tuesday urged Mr. Marchand to drop the lawsuit, arguing that his removal was necessary “to facilitate an orderly transition of executive power.”
Todd Blanche, President Trump’s chief lawyer and pick for deputy U.S. attorney general, and Emile Bove, the president-elect’s pick for chief deputy attorney general, said Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s team is “not yet ready.” They don’t seem ready to dismiss this politically.” A motived and fatally flawed case, this is required by law and will happen as justice progresses. ”
They argued that the U.S. Department of Justice was on the verge of dismissing President Trump’s federal lawsuit, pointing to a Justice Department memo barring prosecution of a sitting president.
“As in those cases, termination is necessary here,” their filing states. “Just as a sitting president enjoys complete immunity from any criminal proceedings, so too will President Trump as president-elect.”
They argued that if the case were to proceed, it would be “highly destabilizing” and could “impede the operation of the entire government apparatus, both foreign and domestic.” They asked Marchan to be given until Dec. 20 to file a termination request.
Prosecutors previously told Marchand they intended to fight against Trump’s anticipated plan to remove him from office following his recent presidential victory. Prosecutors also said other legal proceedings should be suspended until the case for Trump’s removal is determined.
sign up for President Trump on trial
Stay up to date on all of Donald Trump’s trials. Parent staff send news and updates straight to your inbox.
Privacy Notice: Newsletters may include information about charities, online advertising, and content sponsored by external parties. Please see our Privacy Policy for more information. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and are subject to the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
After newsletter promotion
Prosecutors disagreed that Trump’s case should be dismissed simply because the appeal won’t be decided before he takes office. Although they respected the office of the president and understood the logistical challenges, they said, It does not provide for a subsequent dismissal of criminal proceedings and is based on an informal act from which the defendant is not immune.
Prosecutors said the court must respect various constitutional interests: the need for independence of the executive branch and the need for integrity of the judiciary.
Prosecutors told Marchand they have other options besides complete dismissal, including “postponing all remaining criminal proceedings until after the defendant’s next presidential term.”
Trump was found guilty on May 30 of falsifying business records in an attempt to sway the 2016 election. Prosecutors say Trump will reimburse Michael Cohen, his lawyer at the time, for giving $130,000 to Stormy Daniels, the adult film star who remained silent about her affair with Trump, as “legal costs.” announced that it had made a false statement.
The jury returned a guilty verdict within 24 hours. These proceedings marked the first time that a U.S. president, former or current, was tried and convicted of a crime.
