New York: The sentencing of President-elect Donald Trump in his New York criminal case has been delayed, with Judge Juan Merchan postponing a decision on whether to dismiss his conviction to November 19.

Trump was convicted in May on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to conceal an alleged payment to a porn star before the 2016 election. Sentencing was initially set for November 26 but may be avoided altogether if Merchan opts to throw out the case, citing a recent Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity.

The ruling granted presidents broad immunity from prosecution for official acts committed while in office, and Trump’s legal team has argued that the charges should be dismissed under this precedent. Prosecutors, however, have firmly opposed this move.

Should the case proceed, Trump’s lawyers are likely to seek further delays, arguing that sentencing a president-elect could disrupt his responsibilities as commander-in-chief after his January 20 inauguration.

Divided Reactions
The case has drawn sharp responses nationwide. An editorial in the Kansas City Star urged the judge to take unprecedented action, suggesting Trump be sworn in from jail if necessary, to uphold the rule of law.

Conversely, Trump’s former attorney general, Bill Barr, criticized the case as politically motivated, arguing it should be set aside to avoid national distractions during the transition of power.

Former prosecutor Randall Eliason warned that Trump's legal victories could undermine accountability, stating, “That’s a severe blow to the ideal of the rule of law.”

Legal Context and Political Implications
The New York case is one of several legal battles involving Trump. He also faces two federal cases: one related to efforts to overturn the 2020 election and another concerning mishandling classified documents. As president, Trump could potentially intervene to end federal prosecutions.

Trump's political comeback has been marked by dramatic events, including surviving an assassination attempt in July and decisively defeating Joe Biden in a presidential debate, leading Biden to withdraw from the race. Vice President Kamala Harris subsequently became the Democratic nominee, making history as the first woman of color to lead a major party ticket.

The delay in Trump’s sentencing adds another layer of uncertainty to an already tumultuous political and legal landscape as the U.S. prepares for his return to the White House.