New York prosecutors are standing firm in their opposition to dismissing President-elect Donald Trump’s hush money conviction. They are open to delaying the sentencing until after his second term, considering the need to balance constitutional interests.
Trump was convicted in May for falsifying business records to hide a scheme to influence the 2016 election by paying hush money to suppress a story of extramarital sex. Despite the allegations, Trump denies any wrongdoing.
His sentencing was scheduled for Nov. 26, but his lawyers are urging the judge to throw out the case following his recent election win. They argue that dismissing the case is necessary for the smooth transition of power and for the sake of justice.
The Manhattan district attorney’s office acknowledges the demands and obligations of the presidency and the unprecedented legal questions that Trump’s return to the White House will raise. They emphasize the importance of respecting the role of the jury in the constitutional system.
The judge has not made a decision yet, and Trump’s legal team is pushing for a dismissal of the case. They are also prepared to appeal the verdict if necessary. The Supreme Court’s ruling granting presidents broad immunity from criminal prosecution has played a significant role in the ongoing legal battle.
If the case proceeds to sentencing, Trump could face a range of punishments, including a fine, probation, or up to four years in prison. However, it is unlikely that he would serve any time behind bars for a first-time conviction involving charges in the lowest tier of felonies.
Despite the conviction, some of Trump’s supporters have embraced it, showing up to campaign rallies with slogans like “Free Trump” and “I’m Voting For the Convicted Felon.” As a state case, Trump would not be able to pardon himself once he returns to office, as presidential pardons apply only to federal crimes.
Special counsel Jack Smith is working to wind down the federal cases against Trump, including those related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election loss and hoarding classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate. A separate state election interference case in Fulton County, Georgia, is currently on hold.
Trump has criticized the hush money verdict as a “rigged, disgraceful” outcome, claiming it was part of a Democrat-led “witch hunt” to undermine his presidential campaign. The legal battle continues as prosecutors and Trump’s legal team await a decision from the judge on how to proceed with the case.
