Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office announced Tuesday that it would not oppose pausing the criminal proceedings against President-elect Donald J. Trump, including his sentencing, until after he leaves the White House in 2029.

The decision marks a significant shift in the high-profile legal battle that has entangled Trump for the past couple of years. Prosecutors, who had previously pursued Trump with fervor, now appear to be stepping back—at least temporarily—amid the reality of his electoral victory and the constitutional complexities surrounding prosecuting a sitting president.

In a letter to Judge Juan Merchan, lawyers for the district attorney’s office clarified their stance: while they oppose Trump’s effort to dismiss his criminal conviction outright, they do not object to delaying sentencing and other proceedings until his second term concludes. Trump’s sentencing had been rescheduled for November 26, but the latest developments indicate that date will likely be deferred.

The district attorney’s office proposed December 9 as the deadline for their upcoming filing, which will consider the possibility of dismissing the case. Merchan was slated to decide on Tuesday whether a Supreme Court ruling grants Trump immunity from prosecution in this trial.

The decision by the Manhattan District Attorney’s office to pause criminal proceedings against President-elect Donald J. Trump until after his term ends in 2029 comes as a surprising development in the ongoing legal battle. Previously aggressive prosecutors now seem to be taking a step back in light of Trump’s electoral victory and the legal complexities of prosecuting a sitting president.

While the district attorney’s office still opposes dismissing Trump’s criminal conviction outright, they are willing to delay sentencing and other proceedings. This shift in strategy indicates a recognition of the unique circumstances surrounding the case and a willingness to navigate the constitutional challenges presented by prosecuting a sitting president.

The upcoming filing deadline of December 9 will provide further clarity on the district attorney’s intentions, with the possibility of the case being dismissed still on the table. Judge Juan Merchan was set to rule on Tuesday on whether Trump is immune from prosecution in this trial, a decision that could have significant implications for the future of the case.

Overall, this latest development in the legal saga surrounding Trump highlights the complexities and challenges of holding a sitting president accountable for alleged criminal conduct. The decision to pause proceedings reflects a balancing act between upholding the rule of law and respecting the constitutional constraints that come with prosecuting a president.

As the case continues to unfold, it will be interesting to see how the legal proceedings evolve and whether Trump will ultimately face consequences for his actions. The district attorney’s office’s decision to pause the case underscores the intricate legal and political considerations at play, setting the stage for a potentially historic legal battle in the years to come.