Prosecutors in former President Donald Trump’s hush money trial were expected Monday to recommend how long the MAGA leader should serve in prison.
Alvin Bragg, the Manhattan district attorney, will present his recommendation to Judge Juan Merchan, although the sentencing suggestion may remain confidential until Trump is sentenced on July 11, The New York Times reported.
Trump could face up to four years in prison, but could also receive probation. The judge is not required to sentence him to prison and could potentially delay any prison time until after a possible second presidential term, according to The Times.
In May, jurors convicted Trump on 34 counts of falsifying business records after prosecutors alleged he paid hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels to conceal an affair ahead of the 2016 election.
Trump faces four criminal cases across New York, Florida, Georgia, and Washington, D.C. The New York case is likely to be the only one decided before the 2024 election.
Last week, Judge Merchan loosened his gag order, allowing Trump to publicly discuss witnesses in the historic New York City trial that resulted in the first-ever criminal conviction of a former U.S. president. However, Trump is still barred from discussing prosecutors and others involved in the case.
Trump’s other criminal cases have faced significant delays, and Monday’s Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity likely provides him substantial shielding from prosecution for his presidential acts.
The New York Times described Merchan’s upcoming decision as an “unprecedented conundrum,” highlighting the unique and complex nature of sentencing a former president.