Trump's New York hush money sentencing paused indefinitely, judge rules

Driving the news: Judge Juan Merchan on Friday also granted Trump's legal team's request to file a motion to dismiss the case entirely.

• That motion is due by Dec. 2 and the prosecution's response is due by Dec. 9, Merchan said.

What they're saying: "All of the sham lawfare attacks against President Trump are now destroyed and we are focused on Making America Great Again," Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung said in a statement.

Catch up quick: Prosecutors earlier this week suggested that they would be open to postponing Trump's sentencing even if it waits until his second presidential term ends in 2029.

• The filing demonstrated their effort to keep their case against Trump alive after Merchan initially postponed the sentencing.
• The delay aligns with Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's requested schedule, the Hill reported.
• Trump's team requested a timeline that would have moved the dismissal deadline closer to his inauguration.

Context: Trump was convicted in May on 34 felony counts for falsifying business records in connection with a 2016 hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels over an alleged sexual encounter.

• His 2024 presidential victory and the Supreme Court's summer ruling on presidential immunity for "official acts" upended the future of the criminal cases against him.
• He was indicted in three other cases, all of which have been delayed or derailed.

Go deeper: Prosecutors open to delaying Trump's hush money sentencing

Editor's note: This story was updated with additional context and a statement from a Trump spokesperson.