**Trump After Postponement of Verdict: “Everyone Knows There’s No Case”**
The ruling on former U.S. President and Republican candidate Donald Trump in the Stormy Daniels case has been postponed until after the presidential election. Following the judge’s decision on Friday to delay the ruling, Trump reiterated that he had done nothing wrong.
Trump stated on social media that the ruling was postponed because “everyone knows there’s no case. I did nothing wrong. This case should really be dismissed as we prepare for the most important election in our country’s history.”
The ruling, which was originally set for September 18, was delayed by Judge Juan Merchan to November 26. The elections, where Trump faces Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, will take place on November 5. Trump’s lawyers had requested the delay.
Trump was convicted in May on 34 counts related to falsifying business records to cover up hush money payments made to the adult film actress to silence allegations of an affair just before the 2016 presidential election.
Initially, the ruling was scheduled for July 11, but it was postponed after the Supreme Court ruled that the former president enjoys broad immunity from criminal prosecution. Following that decision, Trump’s lawyers requested that the conviction be overturned.
Judge Merchan announced that he would issue a decision on the request to overturn the conviction on November 12, pushing the final ruling until after the election.
He added, “This is not a decision the court takes lightly, but in the view of this court, it is the decision that best serves the interests of justice.”
The judge also expressed concern about avoiding any unfounded perception of political motivation behind the timing of the ruling. He wrote, “The imposition of penalties will be postponed to avoid any suggestion, however unjustified, that the proceedings are influenced by or seek to influence the upcoming presidential election in which the defendant is a candidate… The court is a fair, impartial, and non-political institution.”
In theory, Trump faces a prison sentence of up to four years for each charge, but it is expected that he will be placed under judicial supervision instead.
Following the decision, Trump’s campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung said the case should be dismissed entirely. In a statement, he added, “There should be no ruling in the case brought by the Manhattan District Attorney to interfere in the election,” describing it as an unfair prosecution.
Trump denies the charges and has vowed to appeal the conviction once the sentence is handed down.
By/radwa sherif ✏️✏️📚
