Legal expert has 'visceral reaction' to Trump's request to delay sentencing

Former Obama White House Ethics Czar and current legal analyst Norm Eisen has for days felt annoyed with Donald Trump's request to delay sentencing in his New York City case.

But it seems that the more he's thought about it, the stronger he feels.

Taking to X on Friday, Eisen said he had a "visceral reaction" to Trump's recent request to delay the sentencing in his hush-money case until after the 2024 presidential election.

"Other defendants (including of more modest means) don't get special treatment under the law, and neither should he," Eisen commented.

Read Also: Hush money isn't a crime. Slush money is

Eisen went on to speculate that Judge Juan Merchan had a similar reaction, and he cited the judge's recent statement that “the court appearance [for Trump's sentencing] scheduled for September 18, 2024, at 10 A.M. remains unchanged."

Eisen also thinks that Merchan is telegraphing his thoughts on a "bogus request" that is a little like Trump's three demands that Merchan recuse himself.

"Trump's effort to abuse the Supreme Court immunity ruling in Trump v. U.S. is no basis for a new trial or delay," he said, citing a CNN editorial he wrote in July.

Although the Supreme Court gave Trump total immunity from prosecution for official acts taken as president, Eisen says there is no way that Trump illegally covering up payments to an adult film star that he made prior to becoming president would fall under such criteria.

The NY case isn't about the core of Trump's presidency, Eisen said, it "is about using personal and biz false documents to cover up 2016 hush money election interference."

Eisen concluded by saying the justice system needed to sentence Trump on schedule to maintain credibility.

"The Court should deter Trump from committing more election crimes by handing down its sentence ASAP," Eisen argued. "Plus American voters deserve to know what comes out at Trump’s sentencing before the election. Trump shouldn’t receive special treatment simply because he’s running for President. To preserve faith in American rule of law and a fair justice system, Trump’s sentencing must stay on Sep 18 and not be delayed further."

Read it all here.