**Manhattan DA Requests Pause in Trump Criminal Trial Following Presidential Election Victory**

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has requested a pause in the criminal proceedings against President-elect Donald Trump to allow time for consideration of the unprecedented circumstances. In May, a jury found Trump guilty of 34 felony counts related to the falsification of business records. With Trump's scheduled inauguration on January 20, 2025, Bragg and his team urged Judge Juan Merchan to evaluate arguments about potentially dismissing the case.

Last week, the judge had already postponed Trump's sentencing, initially set for November 26, granting additional time for both parties to present their arguments. The prosecutors suggested a December 9 deadline for the next filing, specifically addressing whether the case should be dismissed. Both the defense and prosecution appear to support this timeline, increasing the likelihood that the judge will agree.

Manhattan prosecutors emphasized that the judge must consider the unique situation of balancing Trump's role as president-elect with the jury's verdict. In their legal filing, they stated, "The People deeply respect the Office of the President, are mindful of the demands and obligations of the presidency, and acknowledge that Defendant's inauguration will raise unprecedented legal questions. We also deeply respect the fundamental role of the jury in our constitutional system."

Trump's legal team had pushed for an immediate dismissal of the case, citing his recent election to a second presidential term and a Supreme Court ruling in July that provides sitting presidents immunity from prosecution for official acts while in office. Steven Cheung, Trump's communications director, hailed the request for a pause as "a total and definitive victory for President Trump and the American People who elected him in a landslide."

However, prosecutors maintained that the jury's deliberations, which occurred before the July Supreme Court ruling, should still hold significance. They suggested that an alternative to dismissal could be deferring all criminal proceedings until after Trump's second presidential term concludes.

Merchan was initially expected to rule on the applicability of the Supreme Court decision regarding Trump's immunity from prosecution in this trial. The recent filing indicates that the forthcoming decision might extend beyond that narrow issue, possibly considering the dismissal of the entire case.

Cheung echoed Trump's sentiments from the campaign trail, where Trump asserted that the legal cases against him were politically motivated. He declared, "The Manhattan DA has conceded that this Witch Hunt cannot continue. The lawless case is now stayed, and President Trump's legal team is moving to get it dismissed once and for all."