NEW YORK — A New York judge on Friday delayed former US President Donald Trump’s sentencing in the hush money case until November 26.

Judge Juan Merchan stated in his ruling that postponing the sentencing until after the November 5 presidential election would prevent his judgment from influencing the election or being influenced by it.

"Adjourning the decision on the motion and sentencing, if required, should dispel any suggestion that the Court will have issued any decision or imposed a sentence either to give an advantage to, or to create a disadvantage for, any political party or candidate for any office," Merchan wrote.

Trump responded by claiming the sentencing was delayed "because everyone realizes that there was NO CASE, I DID NOTHING WRONG!" He added on his Truth Social platform, "This case should be rightfully terminated, as we prepare for the Most Important Election in the History of our Country."

Trump was convicted in May on 34 felony counts related to hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign, making him the first US president to be convicted of felony criminal charges.

Last month, the US Supreme Court granted Trump substantial immunity from prosecution on election subversion charges related to the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, though it did not extend immunity to actions he took as a candidate. — Agencies