The Daily Fuckup

Donald Trump did not get a sentencing reprieve from the Supreme Court itself. He got a procedural opening that his lawyers used in Manhattan, and the trial judge then turned that into a delay.

After the court’s July 1, 2024, immunity decision, Trump’s lawyers asked to file a motion under New York Criminal Procedure Law 330.30(1) seeking to set aside the verdict in the hush-money case. On July 2, prosecutors told Justice Juan Merchan they did not oppose leave to file the motion and did not oppose adjourning the July 11 sentencing date while the court considered it. Merchan granted the request, vacated the July 11 date, and set sentencing for September 18, 2024. ([supremecourt.gov](https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/23pdf/23-939_e2pg.pdf))

That distinction matters. The Supreme Court’s opinion addressed the scope of presidential immunity for official acts. It did not itself alter the Manhattan sentence. The delay came after Trump’s defense linked that new ruling to a post-trial motion in state court, and after the state judge entered an order changing the calendar. ([supremecourt.gov](https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/23pdf/23-939_e2pg.pdf))

Trump remains convicted in the case. What changed on July 2 was the timetable: sentencing moved out of July and into September while the court weighs the new filing. The ruling gave Trump another legal argument; the adjournment came from the trial court. ([nycourts.gov](https://www.nycourts.gov/LegacyPDFS/press/PDFs/PML-Response-on-Immunity.pdf))