Trump Requests Postponement Of Sentencing In Manhattan Criminal Case Until After Election

Former President Donald Trump’s legal team has submitted a request to the judge overseeing his case regarding the falsification of business records in New York, seeking a postponement of his sentencing until after the November election.

In a letter signed by Trump’s attorney, Todd Blanche, several reasons are presented to support this adjournment request. One of the main factors cited is the commencement of early voting before September 18th, raising concerns about potential conflicts and biases associated with the past affiliations of the investigating party, Merchans.

“Sentencing is currently scheduled to occur after the commencement of early voting in the Presidential election,” Blanche stated. “By adjourning the sentencing until after that election—which is of paramount importance to the entire nation, including tens of millions of people who do not share the views of Authentic, its executives, and its clients—the Court would reduce, even if not eliminate, issues regarding the integrity of any future proceedings.”

It should be noted that Authentic Campaigns, a business co-owned by Merchans’ daughter, has had previous close collaboration with Vice President Kamala Harris during her 2020 presidential campaign. Furthermore, the daughter has expressed support for Harris on social media. The letter highlights the concern that the daughter’s involvement in political campaigns could potentially compromise the impartiality of the sentencing process, particularly in the context of an ongoing congressional inquiry.

Blanche emphasized the necessity for a delay in sentencing to allow Trump to assess his options for a potential appeal in response to Merchans’ expected ruling on September 16th, regarding whether Trump’s conviction in the Manhattan business records falsification case should be vacated due to a Supreme Court ruling.

“The requested adjournment is also necessary to allow President Trump adequate time to assess and pursue state and federal appellate options in response to any adverse ruling,” wrote Blanche.

At present, there has been no response from the Manhattan District Attorney’s office, led by Alvin Bragg, regarding the request for adjournment.

Bragg had previously charged Trump with 34 counts of falsifying business records as part of an alleged effort to influence the 2016 presidential election. In May, Trump became the first-ever former president in U.S. history to be convicted of a crime, with the jury finding him guilty. Trump has consistently maintained his innocence, considering the conviction to be a politically motivated attack.