Former President Donald Trump has formally requested that New York judge delay his sentencing in a hush money case until after the upcoming presidential election.

Trump’s attorneys argue that the current sentencing date of Sept. 18 could coincide with early voting, creating the perception of political bias and election interference, as the Washington Examiner reports.

The legal team highlighted concerns regarding Judge Juan Merchan, who is presiding over the case, due to his daughter's association with a Democratic Party marketing firm and her ties to Kamala Harris.

Trump’s legal team pointed out that Judge Merchan’s daughter, Loren Merchan, is a minority partner at Authentic Campaigns, a firm that has worked for Trump’s political rivals.

This connection, according to Trump’s attorneys, presents a conflict of interest that could undermine the impartiality of the proceedings. Although Judge Merchan previously denied a request to recuse himself from the case, Trump’s attorneys are now seeking a delay in sentencing to avoid further controversy.

Concerns Over Judge’s Potential Conflict of Interest

The request to postpone the sentencing comes just days before Merchan is expected to rule on a separate motion regarding presidential immunity.

Trump’s attorneys expressed concern over the quick turnaround from Merchan’s anticipated ruling on Sept. 16 to the scheduled sentencing on Sept. 18, noting that early voting will have already begun by that time.

The former president's legal team has argued that moving forward with sentencing as planned could create the impression of election interference, especially given the proximity to the presidential election.

Attorneys for Trump stressed that there is “no basis for continuing to rush” the process and that delaying the sentencing would help “mitigate the asserted conflicts and appearances of impropriety.”

Authentic Campaigns and Its Role in the Case

Authentic Campaigns, the firm linked to Loren Merchan, has faced scrutiny due to its past work with Democratic candidates. While the firm’s founder, Mike Nellis, has clarified that Authentic Campaigns has not worked for Vice President Kamala Harris, President Joe Biden, or the Democratic National Committee since January 2023, Trump’s legal team remains concerned about the potential influence of Loren Merchan’s involvement.

In a public letter to the House Judiciary Committee, Nellis addressed the conflict of interest concerns, stating that the firm’s activities should not impact the judicial proceedings. However, Trump’s attorneys believe that delaying the sentencing until after the election would help alleviate any doubts about the fairness of the trial.

Legal Strategy and Potential Appeal

Trump’s attorneys also emphasized the need for additional time to appeal if Judge Merchan denies the request to dismiss charges on presidential immunity grounds. They cited the Supreme Court’s ruling on presidential immunity as a key factor in their legal strategy, arguing that criminal proceedings against a sitting president could be seen as politically motivated.

The legal team further argued that Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg should refrain from submitting a sentencing proposal before the election, as it could be perceived as prejudicial. They noted that such a submission could include what the Supreme Court has described as the “threat of punishment,” which could harm both Trump personally and the institution of the presidency.

Jury Conviction and Potential Sentence

In May, a jury convicted Trump of 34 counts of falsifying business records related to a payment made to porn star Stormy Daniels. Each count carries a potential penalty of up to four years in prison, though sentencing guidelines suggest that Trump may receive a lesser sentence.

Trump’s attorneys are seeking to delay the sentencing to ensure that the case is handled without any appearance of political bias. They argued that the current sentencing date could be seen as an attempt to influence the outcome of the presidential election, particularly since it coincides with early voting.

Conclusion

Trump’s legal team has made a formal request to delay his sentencing in a New York hush money case until after the presidential election, citing concerns over potential conflicts of interest and the appearance of election interference.

The team highlighted the involvement of Judge Juan Merchan’s daughter in a Democratic marketing firm as a key issue, arguing that a delay would help mitigate these concerns.

The request also reflects broader concerns about the timing of the sentencing, which is currently set for September 18, just as early voting begins. Trump’s attorneys continue to pursue legal strategies to protect his interests, including the possibility of an appeal based on presidential immunity.