In a notable development, a New York judge has temporarily paused criminal proceedings against President-elect Donald Trump, following his victory in the recent U.S. elections. The case, which centres around Trump’s alleged scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election through hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels, will be on hold until November 19. The announcement was made in court documents released on Tuesday, November 12, as reported by Reuters.
Judge Grants Delay Amid Presidential Transition
Judge Juan Merchan had been expected to rule on whether to vacate Trump’s conviction by Tuesday, in light of a Supreme Court decision in July that addressed the extent of presidential immunity. Trump, who was convicted in May on 34 felony charges related to the hush money scheme, was also scheduled for sentencing on November 26. However, with Trump’s recent electoral success, the proceedings are now on hold.
The request for a delay came from prosecutors in the Manhattan District Attorney’s office, led by Alvin Bragg. In an email sent to Judge Merchan on Sunday, the prosecutors cited Trump’s victory in the November 5 presidential election as well as his impending inauguration in January 2025 as grounds for the postponement. “These are unprecedented circumstances,” the prosecutors stated in their email, suggesting that Trump’s role as President-elect could complicate or influence the continuation of legal proceedings.
Judge Merchan, acknowledging the extraordinary nature of the situation, agreed to the request and ordered the proceedings to be paused until November 19. The decision highlights the complexities of pursuing legal action against a sitting or soon-to-be-sitting president, particularly given the influence and scope of executive privilege.
Background: Hush Money Scheme Conviction
The case in question dates back to May of this year, when Donald Trump became the first former U.S. President to be convicted of felony crimes. The New York jury found him guilty of all 34 charges for allegedly orchestrating a scheme to illegally influence the 2016 presidential election through a hush money payment made to Stormy Daniels, an adult film actor who claimed to have had a sexual encounter with Trump.
Despite the conviction, Trump, now 78, has consistently maintained his innocence, pleading not guilty and denying any wrongdoing throughout the case. His legal team has continued to challenge the charges, citing issues related to the conduct of the investigation and the broader question of presidential immunity.
Trump’s Victory and Political Impact
While the hush money case remains unresolved, it did not hinder Trump’s impressive political comeback. On November 5, Trump won the 2024 presidential election against his Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump secured victories in all seven key battleground states, including the final decisive win in Arizona, which brought his electoral college tally to 312 compared to Harris’s 226. Trump is now set to be sworn in as the 47th President of the United States on January 20, 2025.
In addition to Trump’s presidential win, the Republican Party has regained control of the Senate, securing 52 seats, while the Democrats hold 47. In the House of Representatives, Republicans currently lead with 216 seats, compared to the Democrats’ 209. With a majority threshold of 218, the Republican Party remains optimistic about clinching additional seats to solidify its dominance.
Proceedings to Resume Post-Inauguration?
The decision to delay the hush money case proceedings until after Trump’s election win and during his transition period brings up questions about the future of the case. Judge Merchan’s next steps and whether the proceedings will continue after Trump assumes office in January remain to be seen. For now, the legal journey of Donald Trump in this particular case has been paused, adding yet another chapter to the complex and often unprecedented story of his political and legal career.