A US court ruled on Friday (November 22) that the criminal sentencing of US President-elect Donald Trump, in a secret trial, would be postponed indefinitely, potentially until he leaves office. Sentencing was originally scheduled for November 26.

“It is… ordered that the joint application for a stay of sentence be granted insofar as the date of November 26, 2024 is adjourned,” Justice Juan Merchan said in an order.

Uncertainty revolved around whether the judge should hand down the sentence, delay it for four years until Trump leaves office or simply dismiss the case once and for all.

Earlier this month, Trump’s lawyer told the court there was a strong case for dismissing the lawsuit. On the other hand, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office said the jury’s verdict should be taken into consideration.

In May, a New York jury found Trump guilty of 34 counts in the hush money trial, in which he faced four years in prison.