Trump's Sentencing in 'Sex Scandal Hush Money' Case Likely to Be Delayed

Prosecutors Submit Opinion Agreeing to Trial Suspension and Sentencing Postponement to the Court

The prosecution team that indicted President-elect Donald Trump on charges of 'paying hush money related to a sexual misconduct scandal' has reportedly submitted an opinion to the court agreeing to suspend the trial and postpone sentencing.

According to local U.S. media on the 19th (local time), the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, led by District Attorney Alvin Bragg, submitted this opinion to Judge Juan Merchan of the New York Manhattan Criminal Court.

Earlier, President-elect Trump was found guilty on all 34 criminal charges by a Manhattan Criminal Court jury in May for allegedly paying $130,000 to former adult film actress Stormy Daniels to keep quiet about a past sexual encounter just before the 2016 presidential election.

However, the prosecution reportedly conveyed to the court that the guilty verdict itself against President-elect Trump should not be overturned.

The Trump camp requested the court in July, during his candidacy, to overturn the guilty verdict related to the hush money payment. This was based on the U.S. Supreme Court's decision that official acts performed during a president's term are exempt from criminal prosecution even after leaving office. After President-elect Trump won the election in May, the prosecution requested a suspension of the trial last week to conduct a legal review of the changed circumstances, and the court accepted this request.

The court had originally planned to sentence President-elect Trump on the 26th, but it is expected that sentencing will be postponed until after his term begins. The Trump camp plans to appeal if the guilty verdict is not overturned.

Currently, President-elect Trump faces trial in four criminal cases, including the hush money payment scandal, attempts to overturn the election results, and leaking classified documents. Among these, the hush money payment case is the only one where the trial has proceeded and a guilty verdict has been reached. With President-elect Trump's election victory, there is growing speculation that Special Counsel Jack Smith, who indicted him, may resign voluntarily, and that the other three cases may quietly come to an end.