"Trump's Political Victory"... 'Sexual Misconduct Silence' Trial Sentencing Postponed Until After Presidential Election

New York State Supreme Court Announces Delay in Sentencing for Trump

The sentencing for the criminal trial related to former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's alleged hush money payment in a sexual misconduct scandal has been postponed until after the November 5 presidential election.

New York State Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan announced on the 6th (local time) that the sentencing hearing for Trump's case, originally scheduled for the 18th, would be postponed until November 26. In his ruling, Justice Merchan stated, "This is not a decision this court takes lightly," and added, "It is the best decision to promote the interests of justice as seen by this court."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Former President Trump was tried on charges of paying $130,000 (approximately 170 million KRW) to former adult film actress Stormy Daniels through his personal lawyer to prevent the disclosure of a past sexual relationship just before the 2016 presidential election, and for falsifying company records related to that payment. In May, a jury unanimously found him guilty.

Justice Merchan also decided to postpone the ruling on Trump's legal team's request to overturn the guilty verdict until November 12, after the presidential election.

The delay in sentencing appears to have been influenced by a July decision from the U.S. Supreme Court broadly recognizing criminal immunity for former presidents regarding official acts performed during their tenure.

Previously, Trump's legal team persistently requested the postponement of sentencing, arguing that it could influence the election.

As a result, Trump, who faces a total of four criminal indictments, has effectively avoided the risk of being detained or placed under house arrest before the election through sentencing. Although trials for other cases, including charges related to attempts to overturn the 2020 election results, remain, it is unlikely that any hearings will proceed substantially before the election.

U.S. media outlets reported this as a "political victory for Trump." On the same day, Trump posted on the social media platform Truth Social, stating, "Everyone knows this matter is not a crime, and because I did nothing wrong, the witch hunt by the Manhattan District Attorney who indicted me has been postponed."

He continued, calling it "a political attack by 'Comrade Kamala Harris' and other radical left-wing opponents aimed at election interference," and urged for the charges to be dropped, saying, "As we prepare for the most important election in this country's history, this matter should be justly dismissed."