Judge Suspends Deadlines in Trump Hush Money Case

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Facts

  • New York Judge Juan Merchan issued a written order on Tuesday postponing all deadlines in the state's case against Pres.-elect Donald Trump over his falsifying of business records to at least Nov. 19.[1][2]
  • Trump was convicted by a jury on 34 counts related to hush money payments made to porn star Stormy Daniels, to cover up an affair prior to the 2016 presidential election. His sentencing had been tentatively scheduled for Nov. 26.[3][4]
  • Merchan must first rule on whether the case stands up against the US Supreme Court's recent ruling that presidents cannot be prosecuted for official acts. Trump's lawyers have also requested the case be 'stay[ed] and dismiss[ed]' following his election win last week.[3][5]
  • On Sunday, a Manhattan prosecutor wrote to Merchan saying: '[t]he People agree that these are unprecedented circumstances,' adding the interests of 'a jury verdict of guilt' and 'the Office of the President' must be balanced.[5]
  • This delay comes as the federal case against Trump (the first former president ever to be criminally convicted) over his handling of classified documents was dismissed, and the Georgia criminal election interference case against him remains on an indefinite pause.[5][6]

Sources: [1]USA Today, [2]FOX News, [3]The Hill, [4]Associated Press, [5]CBS and [6]One America.

Narratives

  • Democratic narrative, as provided by MSNBC and Huffington Post. There's no reason why the results of the presidential election should stop this case from moving forward. While the federal Justice Department has made it a policy not to prosecute a president, this is a state case. Letting Trump off the hook would make a mockery of the jury's verdict, especially since he was a private citizen when convicted. Justice should still be served.
  • Republican narrative, as provided by Washingtontimes and Washington Free Beacon. The Democrats' attempts to take down Trump via lawfare have failed, and his election win should put an end to the political witch hunt. Sentencing a president-elect would create an embarrassing spectacle for the US. The Democrats, who are always preaching about preserving democracy, shouldn't stand in the way of the peaceful transfer of power. All cases against Trump should be thrown out.

Predictions