Judge rejects Trump’s decision to convict Stormy Daniels for hush money donald trump news

A New York judge rejected Trump’s lawyers’ claim that as a former US president he has immunity from prosecution.

A United States judge has rejected Donald Trump’s lawyers’ claim that the president-elect’s hush money conviction should be thrown out because the Supreme Court has ruled that former presidents are immune from prosecution.

New York Judge Juan Merchan said on Monday that the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision granting immunity for “official acts” does not apply to testimony in Trump’s trial, which amounts to “entirely informal conduct entitled to no immunity protection.” Is related.

Merchan’s decision is the latest development in the long-running case against the president-elect, in which sentencing is still pending.

In May, a New York City jury found Trump guilty of all 34 felony counts of falsifying business documents in connection with a $130,000 payment made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels in the 2016 presidential election.

Prosecutors convinced the jury that Trump was paid to cover up the scandal that would damage his 2016 campaign against Democrat Hillary Clinton, whom he ultimately defeated.

Trump’s sentencing date was initially set for July 11 but was later moved to November 26.

Following Trump’s victory in the November 5, 2024 presidential election, Trump’s lawyers pressured Merchan to dismiss the case “to facilitate the orderly transition of executive power – and in the interest of justice.”

New York prosecutors have said they are willing to delay sentencing until after Trump’s second term as president, but they have rejected claims from his lawyer that the case should be dismissed entirely.

Trump faces up to four years in prison for each felony count, though court observers say he is unlikely to spend time behind bars as opposed to probation or community service.

Trump’s second term as president will officially begin on January 20, 2025. He is the first or current US President to be accused and convicted of a crime.

The hush money case is one of several legal matters the former reality television star has been involved in.

In late November, U.S. Special Counsel Jack Smith moved to dismiss two criminal cases accusing Trump of trying to overturn his 2020 election loss and covert government interference, citing his pending return to the White House. There were allegations of mishandling of documents.

Also last month, Trump’s lawyers separately asked New York Attorney General Letitia James to vacate the civil judgment and $464 million fine against him for fraud, “in the broader interest of the country”, because he is in power. Preparing to return.

In a letter to Trump’s attorney John Sawyer published on social media, New York Deputy Solicitor General Judith Welle rejected the request.