Judge Delays Trump Hush Money Sentencing Until After Election

What Happened?

On Tuesday, a federal judge pushed back the sentencing date for Michael Cohen, President Trump's former lawyer, who pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations. The sentencing was initially scheduled for December 12th, but Judge William Pauley has now moved it to March 6th, 2023, after the 2020 presidential election.

Cohen pleaded guilty in August to lying to Congress about a hush money payment he made to porn star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign. He faces up to five years in prison. Prosecutors have recommended a sentence of three to five years, while Cohen's lawyers have asked for no more than two years.

Why the Delay?

Judge Pauley did not give a specific reason for delaying the sentencing. However, some legal experts believe that the judge may be trying to avoid the appearance of influencing the upcoming election. By sentencing Cohen after the election, the judge can avoid any accusations that he is trying to help or hurt Trump's chances of winning.

Others believe that the delay may be a sign that the judge is considering a lighter sentence for Cohen. By waiting until after the election, the judge can avoid any pressure to impose a harsher sentence that could be seen as politically motivated.

What's Next?

It is unclear what will happen next in the Cohen case. Cohen is still scheduled to be sentenced on March 6th, 2023. However, it is possible that the judge could further delay the sentencing or even decide to impose a lighter sentence than the prosecutors have recommended.

The Cohen case is a reminder of the ongoing investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. The investigation, led by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, has already resulted in several indictments and guilty pleas. It is unclear whether the investigation will lead to any charges against Trump himself.