Judge Rejects Trump’s Bid to Overturn Guilty Verdict Citing Presidential Immunity
Why it matters: While President-elect Donald Trump’s federal cases have faltered following his election victory, New York prosecutors remain steadfast after securing his historic conviction.
The latest: On Monday, New York Judge Juan Merchan rejected Trump’s request to dismiss his guilty verdict in the hush money case. Trump’s defense argued that the Supreme Court’s recent presidential immunity ruling shielded his actions as “official acts.”
In his 41-page ruling, Merchan dismissed the claim, stating Trump’s actions were “decidedly personal” and fell outside the scope of presidential duties.
- Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg earlier argued the Supreme Court ruling on immunity doesn’t apply here, noting that “President-elect immunity does not exist.”
- Trump’s attorneys maintained that evidence tied to “official acts” should have been excluded during the trial—an argument both Bragg and Merchan rejected.
What they’re saying:
- Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung criticized the decision, calling it “a direct violation of the Supreme Court's decision on immunity, and other longstanding jurisprudence.”
Catch up:
- In May, Trump was convicted of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records.
- Sentencing was initially set for July but has faced delays as legal questions surrounding presidential immunity emerged.
- Following the Supreme Court’s landmark immunity ruling, Merchan postponed sentencing indefinitely in November.
The bottom line: New York prosecutors are pushing forward with Trump’s case despite the hurdles that have stalled his federal charges.
Go deeper: Where Trump’s legal battles stand as Inauguration Day approaches.