Former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally at Trump National Doral Miami,
Tuesday, July 9, 2024, in Doral, Fla.
- Rebecca Blackwell/AP
In documents made public on Thursday, Trump's attorneys, Todd Blanche and Emil Bove, argued that the prosecutors expedited the trial in April and May without awaiting the Supreme Court's guidance on Trump's immunity claims.
"Rather than wait for the Supreme Court’s guidance, the prosecutors scoffed with hubris at President Trump’s immunity motions and insisted on rushing to trial," Blanche and Bove stated. "Your Honor now has the authority to address these injustices, and the court is duty-bound to do so in light of the Supreme Court’s decision.”
The sentencing, initially scheduled for Thursday, has been postponed. The trial judge, Juan M. Merchan, has deferred sentencing until he decides on the defense's motion to set aside Trump's felony conviction for falsifying records in connection with a potential sex scandal. Merchan is expected to rule on September 6, with a tentative sentencing date set for September 18, should it still be necessary. The prosecution has until July 24 to respond to the defense's arguments.²
Trump Pushes for Conviction Overturn
In a further development, Trump's legal team submitted another request to Judge Juan Merchan, who oversaw the hush money trial, to vacate the conviction. The attorneys referenced a recent Supreme Court ruling affirming that presidents have broad immunity from prosecution.
"The jury's verdicts must be vacated and the indictment dismissed," the attorneys wrote in their court filing.
Trump was found guilty in May of 34 counts of falsifying business records, linked to hush money payments made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, who claimed to have had a sexual encounter with Trump. Trump's legal team argues that some of the evidence presented by the prosecution pertained to actions taken during his presidency and included testimonies from White House aides.³
Scheduled to be formally named the Republican Party nominee for president next week, Trump was supposed to be sentenced this Thursday.⁴ However, Merchan postponed the sentencing following the Supreme Court ruling.
Manhattan prosecutor Alvin Bragg, in a previous court filing, stated that while he did not oppose the delay in sentencing, he considered the defense's dismissal arguments to be baseless.
Understanding Hush Money
Hush money refers to payments made to ensure silence about illegal, stigmatized, or shameful behavior. This can be to avoid criminal prosecution, lawsuits, or media leaks. The payment can be part of a non-disclosure agreement or an attempt to falsify testimony, potentially amounting to obstruction of justice or perjury. The legality of hush money depends on the context, with some instances falling under illegal activity.⁵
The ongoing legal saga surrounding Trump's hush money case highlights the complex interplay between legal immunity, prosecutorial conduct, and the ethical implications of hush money in public life. As the case unfolds, the broader legal and political ramifications continue to capture public attention.