DON THE CLOCK
Donald Trump asks judge to delay hush money trial sentencing until after election as lawyers call date ‘unreasonable’
Trump has sought to overturn the conviction in its entirety
DONALD Trump has requested that his sentencing in his hush money trial conviction be pushed back until after the presidential election.
Trump, 78, who was convicted on all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in May, is scheduled to be sentenced on September 18.
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The Republican presidential candidate's attorneys called the timing of the sentencing "unreasonable" as Judge Juan Merchan is slated to rule on Trump's immunity claims two days prior on September 16.
"The timing illustrated just how unreasonable it is to have the potential for only a single day between a decision on first-impression Presidential immunity issues and an unprecedented and unwanted sentencing," Trump's attorneys Tood Blanche and Emil Bove wrote to Merchan.
"Sentencing is currently scheduled to occur after the commencement of early voting in the Presidential election.
"By adjourning the sentencing until after that election… the Court would reduce, even if not eliminate, issues regarding the integrity of any future proceedings."
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"Finally, setting aside naked election-interference objectives, there is no valid countervailing reason for the Court to keep the current sentencing date on the calendar.
"There is no basis for continuing to rush."
TRUMP ARGUES CONVICTION SHOULD BE TOSSED
On July 1, the Supreme Court ruled that former presidents are immune from prosecution for "some official acts" but no immunity for unofficial acts.
The Supreme Court's ruling led Judge Merchan to change Trump's original sentencing date of July 11 to September 18.
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Following the higher court's decision, Trump filed a motion to have his conviction tossed.
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Trump was convicted of falsifying business records in an attempt to cover up a hush money payment he made to porn star Stormy Daniels in the days leading up to the 2016 presidential election.
Jurors heard testimony from 20 witnesses, including Trump's former personal lawyer from 2006 to 2018, Michael Cohen, former publisher of the National Enquirer David Pecker, and Daniels.
Now, Trump is claiming some evidence used against him during his trial should not have been allowed under the Supreme Court's ruling.
Judge Merchan has not ruled on Trump's defense team's recent efforts to postpone the sentencing.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who did not oppose Trump's motion arguing that his conviction should be tossed, did not immediately comment on the new motion.
Trump is facing up to four years in prison, although legal experts don't expect him to receive any jail time.
'NOT SMART ENOUGH'
The former commander-in-chief will deliver remarks at a press conference in Bedminster, New Jersey, on Thursday afternoon.
Trump has stepped up his criticism of presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris in recent days after President Joe Biden ended his reelection campaign in July.
He has rigorously slammed Vice President Harris for avoiding the media while reassuring American voters that he will take her on a presidential debate.
Trump claims Harris is skirting press conferences because she is "not smart enough."
The top Republican challenged Harris to a debate on Fox News on September 4.
Harris and Trump have agreed to debate on ABC on September 10.
Trump also proposed a third debate with Harris to be hosted by NBC on September 25.
"I think they'll be very revealing," he said.
The Harris campaign has yet to comment on the Fox News or NBC debates.
VEEP FACE OFF
Meanwhile, potential vice presidents JD Vance and Tim Walz have agreed to face off on October 1, to set up the first veep debate of the election session.
CBS News posted a public invitation on Wednesday to both Vance and Walz to debate in New York City on four potential dates as options, September 17, 24, October 1, or 8,
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Walz responded to the message agreeing to the October 1 date.
Vance replied to Walz's challenge, saying he will accept the proposed October 1 date.