In a recent letter to Justice Juan Merchan, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg confirmed that the state does not oppose delaying the sentencing of Donald Trump on 34 counts of falsifying business records to cover up a 2016 hush money payment to Stormy Daniels. The sentencing delay was agreed upon in response to a demand from Trump’s legal team, who sought to move the September 18 sentencing date to a period “after the election.” This move comes in light of the Supreme Court’s July 1 ruling on presidential immunity, which has complicated the legal proceedings.
Trump’s team, represented by lawyers Todd Blanche and Emil Bove, argued that the September 18 date would not provide sufficient time for appellate review or a potential stay. Justice Merchan has promised a decision by September 16 on Trump’s motion to vacate the verdict and dismiss the indictment, which relies on testimony from former White House aides. Bragg, acknowledging the logistical challenges of bringing the former president and his security detail to court, agreed that the sentencing should be postponed to avoid last-minute disruptions.
Assistant District Attorney Matthew Colangelo, in the letter, stated that while the Supreme Court’s decision did not clarify if the trial court’s ruling is immediately appealable, the state deferred to the court’s judgment on postponing the sentencing. This would allow for orderly appellate litigation or prevent a potentially disruptive stay from an appellate court.
However, the correspondence was not without its barbs. Trump’s legal team, both alumni of the Southern District of New York (SDNY), had criticized the state prosecutors, implying they lacked the necessary experience to address matters of presidential power and immunity. The state responded tersely, pointing out procedural missteps by Trump’s lawyers and emphasizing the state’s capacity to apply federal constitutional law without guidance from SDNY.
The legal friction between the Manhattan DA’s office and Trump’s team highlights the complex interplay between state and federal legal processes in high-profile cases. With the sentencing delayed, the stage is set for further legal maneuvering, drawing closer scrutiny from both legal professionals and the public.
For more details on the ongoing case, you can refer to the People of the State of New York v. Donald J. Trump docket available on Law360.