New York prosecutors have announced their intention to challenge attempts to dismiss Donald Trump's hush money conviction. This comes a day after the president-elect's lawyers urged a judge to expedite the case's resolution before Trump assumes office in January.
Trump's legal team, in a letter to Judge Juan M. Merchan, emphasized that prolonging the case would disrupt Trump's transition back to the White House and hinder his ability to govern effectively. They plan to formally request dismissal by December 20, following Special Counsel Jack Smith's upcoming disclosures in two federal cases against Trump.
The lawyers argued that the case, which they described as 'politically-motivated and fatally flawed,' should be swiftly dismissed to avoid potential appeals overlapping with Trump's second term. They underscored the voters' mandate that returned Trump to office, urging the judge to prioritize the will of the people over the prosecutors representing the state.
Trump, who denies the allegations, was convicted in May of falsifying business records related to a scheme to influence the 2016 election by paying hush money to suppress a story of extramarital affairs. The Manhattan district attorney's office opposes any dismissal efforts but indicated a willingness to delay sentencing until after Trump's second term.
The district attorney's office argued that Trump's impending presidency does not justify dropping a case decided by a jury. However, they acknowledged the need to balance constitutional interests and proposed a potential pause in the case until after Trump leaves office.
While prosecutors sought an accelerated schedule for addressing the dismissal issue, Judge Merchan has yet to set a timeline for a ruling. Consequently, Trump's sentencing, originally scheduled for November 26, has been postponed.
If the case proceeds to sentencing and the verdict stands, Trump could face penalties ranging from a fine or probation to up to four years in prison. A dismissal would nullify Trump's conviction, which would be the first of a former and future U.S. president.
