US Prosecutors Consider Delaying Trump Hush Money Trial : Victory for Trump

The trial, which was initially scheduled to commence on March 25, marks the "first-ever criminal trial of a former US president". However, due to the late submission of evidence related to the case's star witness, the proceedings may be postponed.

This legal milestone has captured widespread attention, and the outcome will undoubtedly shape the course of legal history in the United States.

On Thursday, New York prosecutors announced their willingness to delay the start of the trial as a precautionary measure. The purpose is to allow Donald Trump’s legal team sufficient time to review records from a previous federal investigation related to the case.

Here are the key points:

Charges:

Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee and likely opponent of President Joe Biden in the November election, pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records. These charges are connected to concealing his former lawyer Michael Cohen’s $130,000 payment to adult performer Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election.

Evidence Review:

Trump’s lawyers recently received thousands of pages of documents from the US Attorney’s office in Manhattan, which had previously investigated Cohen’s payment to Daniels. The lawyers requested additional time to review these materials.

Victory for Trump:

A delay in the trial would be another strategic move by Trump, who has sought to slow down proceedings in his various legal entanglements.

Complex Scheduling:

The hush money case in Manhattan is the first of four criminal cases against Trump scheduled for trial. New York's delays could potentially complicate the scheduling of other cases that do not have firm trial dates.

Trump’s Defense: His legal team argues that Cohen paid off Daniels to spare Trump’s family embarrassment, not to boost his electoral chances as alleged by prosecutors.

This trial is a historic event, and its outcome will significantly impact legal history in the United States. 

New York prosecutors suggested that Justice Juan Merchan might dismiss the indictment due to evidence that could weaken the district attorney’s case.

Justice Merchan has yet to decide on the delay. Trump’s lawyer, Todd Blanche, argues that redacted statements show Michael Cohen wasn’t acting for Trump’s campaign when he paid Stormy Daniels.

Cohen admitted to campaign finance violations in 2018 but wasn’t charged with Trump in that case. Trump has asked for the trial to be postponed until after the Supreme Court reviews his claim of presidential immunity in his federal case over the 2020 election.

The Supreme Court will hear arguments on April 25. A 30-day delay would align the trial’s start with the Supreme Court hearing, six months before the election.

Trump also faces state and federal prosecutions over the 2020 election and handling sensitive documents after his presidency. He has rejected all allegations and pleaded not guilty.