Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at the Israeli American Council National Summit, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Washington. (AP/Evan Vucci)
Share
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
NEW YORK — A judge Monday rejected President-elect Donald Trump’s bid to have his hush money conviction dismissed because of the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling on presidential immunity. But the case’s overall future remains unclear.
Manhattan Judge Juan M. Merchan’s decision eliminates one potential off-ramp from the case ahead of Trump’s return to office next month, but his lawyers have raised other arguments for dismissal.
Prosecutors have said there should be some accommodation for his upcoming presidency, but they insist the conviction should stand.
Related Story: How Much Oil Can Trump Pump?
A jury convicted Trump in May of 34 counts of falsifying business records related to a $130,000 hush money payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels in 2016. Trump denies wrongdoing.
The allegations involved a scheme to hide a hush money payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels during the final days of Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign to silence her claims that they’d had sex years earlier, which he denies.
A month after the verdict, the Supreme Court ruled that ex-presidents can’t be prosecuted for official acts — things they did in the course of running the country — and that prosecutors can’t cite those actions to bolster a case centered on purely personal, unofficial conduct.
Related Story: Devin Nunes, Pugnacious Trump Loyalist, to Lead Espionage Advisory Board
Trump’s lawyers cited the ruling to argue that the hush money jury got some improper evidence, such as Trump’s presidential financial disclosure form, testimony from some White House aides and social media posts made while he was in office.
Prosecutors disagreed and said the evidence in question was only “a sliver” of their case.
Trump takes office Jan. 20.
RELATED TOPICS:
Trump Temporarily Halts Leasing and Permitting for Wind Energy Projects
9 hours ago
Fresno Man Who Dealt Deadly Fentanyl Pill Gets 80-Month Prison Term
9 hours ago
What’s Next for EVs as Trump Moves to Revoke Biden-Era Incentives?
9 hours ago
Visalia Police Find Man Shot Near Shopping Center. Tips Sought.
9 hours ago
Convicted Jan. 6 Rioter Benjamin Martin Still Going to Prison
10 hours ago
Is Lawsuit on Planned Reedley Job Center a ‘Shakedown’?
10 hours ago
CA Sued the Tar Out of Trump the First Time Around. How Did It Do?
12 hours ago
Trump Administration Directs All Federal Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Staff Be Put on Leave