Well, they tried everything. For years, Democrats threw every legal hurdle they could at Donald Trump, hoping something would stick. The aim? To block his political comeback by any means necessary.
They cheered as case after case piled up, each one supposedly the final blow. They even managed to score a conviction, turning Trump into a “felon” in the eyes of some. But that didn’t stop him. Trump’s back, and he’s stronger than ever, elected by the American people to take the reins once more.
Democrats have officially run out of cards. Despite the endless lawsuits and relentless lawfare, Trump not only won the election but did so in a landslide. The GOP reclaimed control of the House, Senate, and White House, effectively leaving Trump with a united government. Now, he’s getting more good news.
The Manhattan judge overseeing President-elect Donald Trump’s trial agreed to grant a stay on all deadlines associated with the felony conviction proceedings against Trump in the final months before he takes office, a closely-watched decision that allows Trump to avoid a maximum sentence of up to four years in prison.
The judge overseeing the case, Judge Juan Merchan, granted the request, which issues a stay on all deadlines, including the Nov. 26 sentencing date, to consider the effect of his election as president. [Source: Fox News]
Despite their best efforts, the Democrats now find themselves at a legal standstill. Trump’s recent felony conviction in Manhattan—a headline-grabber from earlier this year—has been put on hold by none other than Judge Juan Merchan.
He’s paused all legal deadlines surrounding Trump’s case, essentially hitting the brakes on any potential prison time as Trump heads to the White House. The maximum sentence of up to four years? It’s off the table, at least for now.
This pause isn’t just about letting Trump settle into office; it reflects the unprecedented nature of the situation.
Prosecutors themselves requested the delay, noting that they need time to evaluate the implications of Trump’s election victory. As prosecutor Matthew Colangelo put it, “These are unprecedented circumstances.” Translation: Trump’s win changes everything, and the justice system is adjusting to this new reality.
Now, Trump’s legal team has a powerful card to play: presidential immunity. A recent Supreme Court ruling suggested that presidents should enjoy broad immunity from prosecution for most actions taken within their “core constitutional powers.”
This ruling, though focused on federal actions, raises big questions about how far presidential immunity extends—and whether it might cover state convictions, too.
Trump’s lawyers are expected to argue that his election as president should shield him from any attempts at prosecution. They’re also prepared to appeal the Manhattan conviction all the way to the Supreme Court if necessary.
And if that doesn’t work? They’ll likely attempt to move the case to federal court, a step they previously tried but with new weight given Trump’s changed status as president-elect. Whatever the outcome, it’s clear Trump has a strong legal hand.
Judge Merchan faces a challenging decision. He’s held off on enforcing the sentencing deadline to give himself time to weigh Trump’s claims of immunity. While he could technically pursue the case further, doing so would risk a clash with a Supreme Court precedent—and potentially create a constitutional showdown.
Meanwhile, special counsel Jack Smith has put his own legal battles with Trump on hold. Smith’s investigation into Trump’s alleged interference in the 2020 election and the handling of classified documents seems to be winding down. Even former Attorney General Bill Barr, once a critic of Trump, is calling for an end to the “spectacle” of prosecuting a sitting president.
Author: Bo Dogan
