A New York judge ruled on Tuesday against a bid by US President-elect Donald Trump to have his hush money conviction thrown out, rejecting his argument that a recent Supreme Court decision on presidential immunity applied to the case.
Judge Juan Merchan ruled that the immunity granted to presidents for official acts did not extend to the conduct involved in Trump’s conviction, which related to “entirely unofficial conduct entitled to no immunity protections.”
“Defendant’s motion to dismiss the indictment and vacate the jury verdict… is denied,” Merchan stated, meaning that Trump’s conviction stands.
Trump had sought to have the case moved to federal court, arguing that his position as president-elect warranted the dismissal of the conviction. His lawyers also presented arguments based on a July Supreme Court decision that grants presidents immunity from prosecution for actions taken during their presidency. They claimed that certain evidence presented at trial, including Trump’s financial disclosure form, social media posts, and testimony from White House aides, should have been excluded. However, Judge Merchan disagreed, ruling that even if some of the evidence related to official acts, it did not affect the case, which focused on falsifying business records.
The hush money case
Trump’s conviction stems from a $130,000 payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels in 2016, which prosecutors say was intended to cover up an alleged affair with Trump during the presidential campaign. The payments were aimed at protecting Trump’s election chances, prosecutors argued. Trump, however, has denied the affair and any wrongdoing.
The ruling brings Trump closer to becoming the first president to enter the White House with a felony conviction, pending an appeal. His legal team has vowed to continue challenging the verdict, including raising issues of potential juror misconduct.
As Trump faces the prospect of returning to office next month, the case is likely to continue as a source of legal and political controversy. Trump’s communications director, Steven Cheung, slammed the case, saying, “This lawless case should have never been brought, and the Constitution demands that it be immediately dismissed.”
Prosecutors have argued that Trump’s bid to dismiss the case went too far, with their office stating, “Multiple accommodations well short of dismissal… would satisfy that objective, including a stay of proceedings during his term in office.”
The case continues to unfold as Trump navigates his legal challenges, with the potential for further legal battles as he prepares to take office once again.
