Donald Trump's Sentencing Postponed Until September as New York Judge Weighs New Supreme Court Guidelines

New York Judge Juan Merchan moved the sentencing hearing from July 11 to Sept. 18 while he considers Trump's request to throw out 34 felony convictions

<p>JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty</p> Donald Trump speaks at a Philadelphia rally on June 22, 2024

JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty

Donald Trump speaks at a Philadelphia rally on June 22, 2024

Donald Trump received more good news on Tuesday, July 2, when the judge in his Manhattan criminal case agreed to delay his sentencing hearing, which was originally scheduled for July 11.

In a filing, New York Judge Juan Merchan said that the court will reconvene on Sept. 18 "for the imposition of sentence, if such is still necessary."

Related: Donald Trump Seeks to Overturn New York Conviction After Supreme Court's Immunity Ruling

The disruption in Trump's case comes as the former president seeks to overturn his 34 felony convictions, which were handed down by a Manhattan jury on May 30. He was found guilty of falsifying business records to conceal a scheme to corrupt the 2016 presidential election, which he won over Hillary Clinton.

<p>Michael M. Santiago/Getty</p> Donald Trump prepares for a Manhattan jury to deliver his verdict on 34 felony counts on May 30, 2024

Michael M. Santiago/Getty

Donald Trump prepares for a Manhattan jury to deliver his verdict on 34 felony counts on May 30, 2024

Trump's legal team sent a letter to Judge Merchan on Monday, July 1, asserting that a new Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity should nullify his convictions. They asked that Trump's sentencing be delayed while the validity of his trial is considered.

Earlier on July 1, the Supreme Court released a landmark ruling, which stated that Trump and other U.S. presidents have absolute immunity from prosecution over "official" acts taken during their White House tenure.

"The President enjoys no immunity for his unofficial acts, and not everything the President does is official," the Supreme Court said in its decision. "But under our system of separated powers, the President may not be prosecuted for exercising his core constitutional powers, and he is entitled to at least presumptive immunity from prosecution for his official acts."

Related: Supreme Court Says Donald Trump Is Partially Immune from Prosecution: What That Means for His Criminal Charges

The court also said that official acts cannot be used against presidents as evidence for other crimes, which formed the basis for Trump's complaint.

Though the Manhattan criminal trial centered around Trump's private finances as a political candidate — which are not protected by presidential immunity — Trump's defense team claims that prosecutors relied on some official acts to convince the jury that he was guilty.

Related: Donald Trump Is Banned from 37 Countries as Convicted Felon, Including Major Allies Like Canada and U.K.

Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images Donald Trump stands alongside his third Supreme Court nominee, Amy Coney Barrett
Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images Donald Trump stands alongside his third Supreme Court nominee, Amy Coney Barrett

On July 2, the Manhattan District Attorney's Office said that — while it disagrees with Trump's argument that his convictions should be thrown out — it will not challenge the defense team's request to postpone his sentence.

Judge Merchan said that he will reveal his decision on whether to toss the verdict on Sept. 6.

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