**Prosecutors Resist Dismissing Trump’s Conviction but Open to Delayed Sentencing**

In a recent move, New York prosecutors have resisted attempts to dismiss the conviction of President-elect Donald Trump related to hush money payments but are contemplating delaying his sentencing. Trump's team proposed the delay owing to his impending second term, which the Manhattan district attorney's office acknowledged might necessitate "balancing competing constitutional interests."

Manhattan prosecutors maintain that Trump's return to the presidency should not negate a case that has already been adjudicated. Despite this, they are weighing the possibility of pausing the case until Trump's term concludes. This development follows Trump's conviction in May on charges of falsifying business records to hide a payment made to influence the 2016 election.

The conviction stems from a $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels, a porn actor, made shortly before the 2016 presidential election to silence claims of an extramarital affair, which Trump denies. Initially set for sentencing on Nov. 26, Trump’s legal team has pushed for the case to be thrown out, arguing it would facilitate an orderly presidential transition.

Judge Juan M. Merchan had previously deferred his decision on Trump’s attempt to overturn the conviction, pending feedback from prosecutors. With a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in July granting presidents broad immunity from criminal prosecution, the legal landscape has added complexity to Trump's case.

Reacting to the prosecutors’ submission, Steven Cheung, spokesperson for Trump and the incoming White House communications director, heralded it as a significant victory, emphasizing efforts to dismiss the case entirely. Such a dismissal would erase Trump’s historic conviction, potentially sparing him from penalties that could include a fine, probation, or even up to four years in prison.

Prosecutors, however, have dismissed Trump's lawyers' arguments citing the Supreme Court's ruling as applicable only to official acts. The final decision now rests with Judge Merchan, who has various options including delaying the case or awaiting a federal appeals court's ruling.

Supporters of Trump have embraced his conviction, often displaying slogans supporting him at campaign rallies. Nevertheless, as a state case, Trump would be unable to pardon himself, should the conviction stand, underscoring the distinct potential legal challenges ahead following his election victory this month.