The sentencing for former President Donald Trump in his hush money conviction has been delayed until November 26, three weeks after the upcoming election, according to a ruling made by the judge on Friday.

This new date will apply if a sentencing remains necessary, as stated by Judge Juan Merchan.

Trump requested this delay from Merchan, moving the originally scheduled sentencing date from September 18 to after the presidential election in November. The Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office opted not to oppose Trump’s request.

In supporting Trump’s request, Merchan noted he was ensuring that Trump, the Republican presidential candidate, was treated like any other defendant.

“Postponements for sentencing are generally granted, often multiple times, in various criminal cases at this courthouse, especially when there is no opposition and for reasons that may include personal issues or the availability of the involved parties,” Merchan expressed in his ruling on Friday.

“Considering the distinct facts and circumstances surrounding this case, there is no reason for any different treatment of this Defendant compared to others,” Merchan commented.

A representative from Bragg’s office reiterated that Trump has already been convicted.

“The Manhattan D.A.’s Office is ready for sentencing on the newly established date,” stated the spokesperson.

Steven Cheung, representing Trump, asserted that there shouldn’t be any sentencing at all, dubbing the case an “Election Interference Witch Hunt” that should be dismissed based on the Supreme Court’s ruling regarding presidential immunity from July 1.

On May 30, Trump was convicted of 34 counts of falsifying business records to conceal hush money payments made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels prior to the 2016 election. Prosecutors claimed that Trump sought to prevent voters from learning about Daniels’ allegations, which he denies, regarding an alleged sexual encounter that took place in 2006.

Trump has pledged to challenge his conviction, which could potentially result in a lengthy prison sentence, although legal analysts suggest he may either avoid prison altogether or face a brief term in jail.

The rationale for delaying sentencing by Trump

Trump argued that the postponement in sentencing is necessary for his appeal regarding a potential decision by Merchan to nullify the entire conviction based on presidential immunity, providing Merchan rules against him and sentencing is still to occur. Merchan indicated that he would deliver his ruling on presidential immunity on November 12, a week post-Election Day and two weeks prior to the rescheduled sentencing.

Trump contends that the conviction is unsustainable because the Supreme Court determined that evidence of specific presidential actions cannot be utilized in a trial against a former president. He believes that certain evidence in his hush money case, such as communications and calls made during his presidency, violate this ruling.

Bragg’s office defended Trump’s conviction in court documents, arguing that the evidence Trump is contesting is just a small part of the substantial amount of testimony and documentation that the jury assessed.

Norman Eisen, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and former counsel during the 2019 House impeachment inquiry of Trump, voiced his concerns on X about Merchan postponing Trump’s sentencing due to political reasons.