Trump's Hush Fine Postponed Indefinitely

New York Judge Juan Merchan ruled Friday that convicted felon and President-elect Donald Trump’s sentence is indefinitely suspended.

Trump was scheduled to be convicted next week on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, but his victory in this month’s election dealt several blows to the case. Can a sitting president be sent to prison? This is uncharted territory, friends.

In the decision made Friday, Merchan agreed to suspend proceedings in the case, with no date for sentencing in sight. He also granted a motion by Trump’s lawyers to dismiss the case against Trump entirely; The president-elect’s lawyers will have to submit it by Dec. 2.

One of the factors Merchan weighed in on how to proceed with Trump’s conviction is: Supreme Court decision in July Granting presidents immunity from prosecution for “official” actions taken while in office. The court didn’t bother to explain what exactly distinguishes an official from an unofficial act, but the decision helps Trump avoid criminal charges related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

Following Trump’s victory, two cases against him that fell under the jurisdiction of the Justice Department were effectively inconclusive. Trump’s federal election interference lawsuit had already been significantly delayed following the Supreme Court’s decision and is now closed. Florida Judge Aileen Cannon ahead of the election Rejected the Ministry of Justice’s case against Trump for his alleged mishandling of classified documents; It seems unlikely that the ministry will continue to pursue pending appeals. Trump’s return to the White House also breaks Georgia’s heart election interference case against the president-elect and some of his cronies. Although the state can no longer prosecute Trump as president, his allies under indictment cannot enjoy the blessings of immunity like him.

Trump and his lawyers, who always go to extremes, take advantage of this decision to claim: All Lawsuits filed against the new president should be dropped. Trump’s illegal payments to Daniels did not occur through official government channels, and the agreement to cover up allegations that Daniels had an affair with Trump was made before Daniels’ victory in 2016. Still, Merchan weighs his decision.

Earlier this month, Manhattan District Attorney Senior Counsel Matthew Colangelo wrote a letter Merchan: “The impact of the Presidential election results on this process; the defendant’s incoming Presidential certification on January 6, 2025; and taking office on January 20, 2025.”

One separate letterManhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg wrote that he plans to oppose the state’s request to throw out Trump’s conviction. “No existing law provides that a president’s temporary immunity from prosecution requires the dismissal of a post-trial criminal investigation initiated at a time when the defendant is not immune from criminal prosecution and based on informal conduct for which the defendant is not guilty. immune,” Bragg wrote.

“Given the need to balance competing constitutional interests, this aspect must be taken into account.

“He has pursued various non-removal options (…) that could address any concerns, such as postponing all remaining criminal proceedings until the end of the Defendant’s upcoming presidential term,” he added.

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