New York prosecutors have indicated their openness to delaying proceedings in the hush-money case against former President Donald Trump during his tenure in the White House, while firmly opposing any dismissal attempts that may arise from his reelection. This stance was communicated through a letter by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, as reported in a recent Bloomberg Law article. The letter emphasizes respect for the presidency and acknowledges the unprecedented legal questions Trump’s upcoming inauguration could present. However, it also underscores the critical importance of the jury’s role.
This development follows Trump’s conviction in May, where he was found guilty on 34 felony counts related to falsifying business records for payments to an adult film star before the 2016 election. Trump’s legal team is seeking dismissal of this case, alongside three other federal and state criminal prosecutions, prior to the anticipated inauguration in January.
Trump’s spokesperson Kevin Cheung has labeled the decision to potentially delay as a “victory” for Trump, showcasing it as a concession by the Manhattan DA to halt what he terms a “Witch Hunt.” Nevertheless, the legal landscape remains complicated; the U.S. Justice Department is reportedly ready to drop two federal cases against Trump, while a related state case in Georgia awaits appellate court decisions on disqualification issues surrounding the DA.
Bragg’s letter further anticipates that the judge will permit Trump to file a formal motion to dismiss and intends for prosecutors to respond by December 9. Despite arguments positing that Trump cannot be prosecuted as president-elect, Bragg’s office contends that no current law necessitates the dismissal of post-trial proceedings begun while a defendant was not immune from criminal prosecution.