Judge delays Trump immunity decision in NY hush money case
A New York judge delayed plans on Tuesday to decide whether President-elect Trump’s conviction can withstand the Supreme Court’s presidential immunity ruling, following his election victory last week.
In an email to Manhattan prosecutors and Trump’s attorneys, Judge Juan Merchan said he would freeze the case until Nov. 19. Prosecutors are due to provide by then an update on what they believe are the appropriate next steps now that he is president-elect.
Trump’s sentencing, which would be the first of any former president, is scheduled for Nov. 26. He was convicted on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in connection with a hush money payment made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election to conceal an affair, which he denies.
Trump’s attorneys believe his election as president compels the dismissal of his criminal prosecutions.
“The stay, and dismissal, are necessary to avoid unconstitutional impediments to President Trump’s ability to govern,” Trump attorney Emil Bove wrote in an email to the judge.
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