The sentencing of former President Donald Trump in his Manhattan hush money criminal case has been rescheduled to take place after the November 2024 election. Judge Juan Merchan announced on Friday that the new date for sentencing would be November 26, citing “the unique time frame this matter currently finds itself in” as a key factor in his decision.

Trump’s legal team, representing the Republican presidential candidate, has employed several tactics to delay the sentencing, which was initially set for September 18. In May, a New York jury found Trump guilty on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, marking the first time a sitting or former U.S. president has been convicted of a crime, reports the Associated Pres.

Judge Merchan emphasized in his ruling that the sentencing requires “a sentencing hearing that is entirely focused on the verdict of the jury.” He stated, “Their verdict must be respected and addressed in a manner that is not diluted by the enormity of the upcoming presidential election,” and therefore set the sentencing to occur exactly three weeks after the November 5 election.

The judge further explained that the delay was necessary “to avoid any appearance—however unwarranted—that the proceeding has been affected by or seeks to affect the approaching presidential election in which the Defendant is a candidate.” He underscored that the court remains “a fair, impartial and apolitical institution.”

Trump faces a potential sentence of up to four years in prison, though Judge Merchan has the discretion to impose a lesser sentence, such as a fine, probation, or a shorter jail term. The case revolves around allegations that Trump concealed a payment intended to buy the silence of Stormy Daniels, a former adult-film star, in the final days of his 2016 election campaign.

Daniels testified that she and Trump had a sexual encounter, and she received $130,000 from his former lawyer just before the 2016 election in exchange for keeping quiet about the incident. Prosecutors argued that Trump violated election laws by approving a scheme to disguise the payment as legal expenses.

Trump’s sentencing was initially planned for July but was postponed after a U.S. Supreme Court decision that granted presidents some immunity from criminal prosecution for “official acts.” Following this, Judge Merchan allowed another delay to give the parties time to prepare arguments on how the Supreme Court’s ruling might impact the case. A decision on these implications is expected on November 12.

While Judge Merchan has already dismissed some arguments from Trump’s attorneys to delay sentencing as “unsubstantiated grievances… that do not merit this Court’s attention,” he also noted that sentencing hearings in other cases are often delayed for reasons such as personal circumstances or scheduling conflicts. “Given the unique facts and circumstances of this case, there is no reason why this Defendant should be treated differently than any other,” he stated.

The judge added that his decision to delay sentencing “should dispel any suggestion” that the court would make a decision appearing to support “any political party or any candidate for any office.”

Trump has maintained his innocence, stating in an interview with Fox News that the “case should be dead.” On his social media platform, Truth Social, he reiterated his claim of innocence, describing the case as a “witch hunt” and a “political attack.” “This case should be rightfully terminated, as we prepare for the Most Important Election in the History of our Country,” he wrote.

A spokesperson for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, whose office brought the charges, stated that the prosecution team is “ready for sentencing on the new date set by the court.”

If Trump were to return to the White House, he would have the authority to pardon himself for any federal crimes. However, the New York case and the election interference case in Georgia involve state charges, and a president does not have the power to pardon state convictions.