Judge Rejects Trump’s Request for Immunity in Hush Money Case | US News
Donald Trump’s effort to overturn his conviction in the Stormy Daniels hush money case has been rejected.
His legal team contended that a landmark ruling on presidential immunity, issued shortly after the verdict in May, warranted the reversal of his 34 fraud convictions for falsifying business records.
However, a judge in Manhattan stated that the Supreme Court decision did not apply to Mr. Trump, as his conduct in this case did not constitute official actions associated with the presidency.
Judge Juan Merchan referenced a previous federal court ruling indicating that the hush money payment and subsequent reimbursements were tied to Mr. Trump’s personal life.
Steven Cheung, spokesperson for the president-elect, labeled the ruling a “direct violation of the Supreme Court’s decision on immunity.”
Mr. Trump has consistently denied having any sexual encounter with ex-porn star Stormy Daniels, yet he was found guilty of falsifying business records regarding a $130,000 (£102,000) payment made to secure her silence in the lead-up to the 2016 election.
He is set to become the first convicted criminal to enter the White House upon assuming office again on January 20.
Originally scheduled for sentencing on November 26, Judge Merchan postponed the hearing indefinitely following Mr. Trump’s win in the US election.
If the conviction remains, sentencing could potentially occur after he concludes his second term in the White House in 2029.
The case revolved around payments made to former porn star Stormy Daniels. Pic: AP
Mr. Trump’s attorneys have proposed alternative grounds for dismissal, including allegations of juror misconduct, suggesting that the conviction might still be overturned.
They have also asserted that the ongoing case could hinder his ability to effectively govern.
In reply, prosecutors have offered solutions like ensuring any sentencing wouldn’t involve jail time—proposals that have been met with indifference from the Trump legal team.
The president-elect has previously managed to dismiss several other legal challenges following his decisive victory over Kamala Harris.
Read more from Sky News:
Teacher and student killed as teen girl opens fire
Zelenskyy and Putin ‘gotta make a deal’, says Trump
Prosecutors have closed two federal cases concerning alleged efforts to overturn his 2020 election defeat and accusations that he hoarded classified documents at his Florida residence.
A separate state case in Georgia—again regarding election interference claims—is largely in suspension.
Mr. Trump has denied the allegations in all these cases.
