In a recent development, Judge Juan Merchan has announced that the sentencing of former President Donald Trump in his New York criminal case will be postponed until after the 2024 election. This decision comes after Trump's lawyers requested a pushback on the sentencing date. The former president was convicted in May on 34 counts of falsifying business records pertaining to a hush money payment made to an adult-film star who alleged an affair with Trump.

However, Trump's sentencing has faced several delays as his legal team sought to have the conviction overturned based on the Supreme Court's ruling on presidential immunity. Judge Merchan's decision to postpone the sentencing until November 26 aims to avoid any appearance of influencing the November election.

In addition to the delay, Judge Merchan also stated that he would decide on Trump's motion to vacate the verdict due to the Supreme Court's immunity ruling on November 12, which is also after the election. The judge acknowledged the significance of Trump's hush money trial, describing it as a case that stands alone in the nation's history.

Responding to the decision, Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung criticized the Manhattan District Attorney's handling of the case, calling it an "election interference witch hunt." Trump's legal team believes that all charges should be dismissed based on the Supreme Court's decision and asserts that the case, along with other alleged hoaxes, should be dropped.

This delay in sentencing marks another setback in Trump's multiple criminal cases, which include indictments in New York, Florida, Washington, DC, and Georgia throughout 2023. While the Florida classified documents case was dismissed in July, the other cases related to the January 6 events are currently on hold and will not proceed before the election.

The upcoming sentencing, if it takes place, will have significant implications, with questions regarding the possibility of a jail sentence for Trump. However, it is worth noting that Judge Merchan is not obligated to impose a prison term, and alternative options such as probation, home confinement, community service, or a fine may be considered.

Judge Merchan acknowledged the gravity of the jury's unanimous guilty verdict and emphasized the need for a fair sentencing process that respects the constitutional rights of the defendant. The delay in the sentencing aims to ensure that the verdict is not overshadowed by the upcoming election.

This is not the first time that Judge Merchan has postponed the sentencing in this case. Initially set for July, the sentencing was delayed by two months at Trump's lawyers' request following the Supreme Court's ruling on presidential immunity.

Recently, Trump's legal team attempted to move the state case to federal court, citing the Supreme Court decision on presidential immunity. However, a federal judge swiftly denied the request, and Trump's lawyers are currently appealing that ruling.

Overall, the postponement of Trump's criminal conviction until after the 2024 election means that it will not directly impact the presidential campaign, with the former president's legal challenges to the verdict still ongoing. The final outcome of the case remains uncertain, as Trump's sentencing, if it occurs, will impose a critical decision on the judge weighing the guilty verdict of a former president.