Manhattan prosecutors have agreed to delay the sentencing of former President Donald Trump in light of a recent Supreme Court ruling that grants presidents immunity from prosecution for official acts committed while in office. This decision, which directly impacts the Department of Justice’s election interference case against Trump, is already having repercussions on a separate case where he was found guilty on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records.
The charges in question stem from a hush-money payment made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels in an effort to keep news of their alleged affair private before the 2016 election. While it is difficult to argue that personal payments to an adult film actress qualify as official acts of the presidency, Trump’s legal team believes the Supreme Court ruling provides an opportunity to challenge the admissibility of certain evidence.
Trump’s attorneys, in a letter sent to Judge Juan Merchan on Monday, requested a postponement of the sentencing, citing the Supreme Court’s ruling. They argue that evidence related to the president’s official conduct, which is now deemed immune from prosecution, should not have been used in the trial. Trump’s lawyer, Will Scharf, stated on CNN that this indicates a need to overturn the jury verdict and potentially seek a new trial where such immune acts will not be considered.
In response, the Manhattan District Attorney’s office acknowledged the request for a delay in sentencing, despite considering the arguments put forth by Trump’s defense to be without merit. They stated that they do not oppose the request for leave to file and the potential adjournment of sentencing until the motion is determined.
On Truth Social, Trump’s social media platform, the former president celebrated the Supreme Court’s ruling, calling it a “BIG WIN FOR OUR CONSTITUTION AND DEMOCRACY. PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!” Trump’s allies and campaign staff have also expressed their delight over the decision, with one conservative attorney close to Trump likening it to Christmas.
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