Judge Delays Donald Trump's Sentencing in Hush Money Case

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NEW YORK: The judge overseeing Donald Trump’s criminal hush money case has indefinitely delayed his sentencing, a decision hailed by Trump’s legal team as a significant victory as he prepares for his return to the White House.

Originally scheduled for November 26, Trump’s sentencing was postponed after his lawyers filed a request to block the proceeding, arguing that the president-elect should be granted immunity for actions committed while in office. Judge Juan Merchan granted the request, adjourning the sentencing date.

In a statement, Trump’s communications director, Steven Cheung, described the delay as a "decisive win," calling the Manhattan case a "hoax" and referring to the ruling as a mandate from the American people to return him to office and put an end to "witch hunt" cases against him.

Trump was convicted in May on 34 felony counts related to fraudulent business practices to conceal an alleged sexual encounter with a porn star in the lead-up to the 2016 presidential election. Prosecutors argued the cover-up was designed to boost his chances of winning the election.

Ahead of the Nov. 5 election, Trump’s legal team moved to have the case dismissed based on a landmark Supreme Court decision granting presidents broad immunity for actions taken in office. Prosecutors opposed the motion, but Judge Merchan granted Trump the opportunity to seek to have the conviction overturned, which could lead to further delays after his inauguration in January.

New York state prosecutors acknowledged the unprecedented nature of the case and agreed to balance the jury's verdict with the competing interests surrounding Trump’s election. Trump has consistently described the hush money case as politically motivated.