Prosecutors in President Trump’s “hush money” case have indicated that they will be staying his sentencing until after his second term ends, CNN confirmed.
In the filing, prosecutors reportedly acknowledged "consideration must be given" to staying the sentencing until after Trump served his mandate. If the case was not stayed, Trump would have served his second term as a felon. It also would have posed incredible legal challenges - how can you sentence a duly elected President to prison?
A person who is not sentenced is not formally designated as a felon. Sentencing is when the designation is given to the person found guilty; as it stands, Donald J. Trump is not a felon - and may never become one.
Trump’s attorneys have encouraged prosecutors to throw the case out, as to allow the facilitation of a peaceful transfer of power, or to give the President-Elect a new trial. The decision on these two items is still pending.
Prosecutors did however oppose the idea of dismissing the case completely. Ultimately, it seems that decision will rest on the shoulders of Judge Merchan who previously had a conflict of interest, as his daughter used the trial in messaging for political clients. Evidently, his daughter is now out of work and the conflict of interest has dissipated.
Trumps team seems to already be making victory laps. Trump released a statement Tuesday claiming “total and definitive victory” in his legal struggle.
