'Above the law': Experts say Merchan sentencing delay proves Trump making 'mockery' of justice system
Justice Juan Merchan was scheduled to sentence former President Donald Trump on 34 criminal counts on September 18, which was a postponement from the July sentencing date Merchan originally had in mind.
But on Friday, September 6, the Manhattan judge decided to delay the sentencing once again — this time, to November 26, which will be three weeks after the 2024 presidential election.
Trump was indicted in four separate criminal cases. But Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg Jr.'s hush money/falsified business records case was the only one that went to trial, and a New York City jury found him guilty.
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Merchan's decision has received an abundance of reactions on X, formerly Twitter.
Harvard Law School scholar Laurence Tribe tweeted, "The decision by Justice Juan M. Merchan means voters will be left in the dark this November about whether the former president will face time behind bars."
Screenwriter Timothy Dowling posted, "Only one person in this country seems to be above the law. Anyone else would be sentenced and in jail now."
Journalist Marcy Wheeler lamented, "Working the refs always works for Trump. Particularly when accompanied by threats."
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Some of the reactions were downright scathing.
Author David Mack posted, "GOD******T. Merchan wimped out. This is such b******t."
Journalist Bill Shea argued, "You or me, the judicial system would crush or murder without a moment's hesitation. Trump, a convicted felon and rapist and open fascist, gets kid gloves that only the powerful get, no matter how obviously guilty and vicious and stupid they are."
MeidasTouch's Fred Wellman tweeted, "Jesus f*****g Christ this guy will never face justice. Crime after crime and they just let him slide over and over. They indicted and convicted Menendez in New Jersey in under a year. This mother f****r has been sliding for four years."
Podcast host Adam McGinnis wrote, "The Judicial system is a mockery, hammers everyone but the worst corrupt guy." And in a separate tweet, McGinnis added, "Cy Vance did nothing to Trump, Bragg barely got there, Garland & Monaco cowardly approach to coup leaders, refused to immediately deal with stolen national secrets forever, right wing judges running interference, Jack Smith getting played by Cannon, system is broken."
Journalist Nick Field posted, "The American people have no trust in their institutions because those institutions do not work. We may well emerge from this crisis thanks to the voters, but we shouldn't forget how the criminality of Donald Trump proved that the system does not work."
Attorney Pam Keith tweeted, "Horrendous decision by Judge Merchan. I can’t help but wonder if the constant threats to his family made up his mind."
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