News brief

Trump hush money case sentencing likely postponed. New York prosecutors oppose efforts to dismiss Donald Trump’s hush money conviction but say they are open to delaying sentencing until after his second term. In a court filing Nov. 19, the Manhattan district attorney’s office said it’s OK with a sentencing delay while Mr. Trump’s lawyers try to get the case tossed out in light of his United States presidential election win. Sentencing had been scheduled for Nov. 26. New York state Judge Juan Merchan has not set a date for his decision. The president-elect was convicted in May of falsifying business records.

The U.S. justice system is meant to treat every defendant equally. But when that defendant is both a former president and now president-elect, courts are showing the flexibility that accompanies foundational principles.