Trump’s New York Sentencing Postponed in Wake of Supreme Court Immunity Decision

A New York judge postponed the July sentencing for former President Donald Trump’s conviction on business fraud charges in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on presidential immunity.

Judge Juan M. Merchan on Tuesday approved a request from Trump’s legal team to postpone the July 11 sentencing to Sept. 18 in order to give Trump’s team time to submit a memorandum supporting their request that the New York conviction be overturned, based on the high court’s recent decision.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Monday that former presidents are entitled to at least presumptive immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts, and absolute immunity “with respect to the president’s exercise of his core constitutional powers.”

The issue stems from the federal election interference case against Trump. While it’s unclear how special counsel Jack Smith plans to proceed, Trump’s attorneys are seeking to have his New York case tossed in light of the decision. 

A jury in May convicted Trump of 34 felonies in connection with a hush money payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 presidential race.

After Monday’s ruling, attorneys for Trump asked Merchan to “set aside the jury’s verdicts … based on today’s decision in Trump v. United States,” according to a copy of the motion shared by The Associated Press. New York prosecutors said they won’t oppose the request.