New York Judge Affirms Trump’s Hush Money Conviction

A New York judge has affirmed the validity of Donald Trump’s hush money conviction, rejecting the president-elect’s argument that it should be dismissed following a landmark immunity ruling from the US Supreme Court. In July, the nation’s highest court determined that presidents possess extensive immunity from criminal prosecution for “official actions” performed during their tenure. However, on Monday, Manhattan Judge Juan Merchan, who presided over Trump’s trial earlier this past spring, sided with prosecutors. He stated that the convictions on 34 felony counts were centered on “unofficial conduct.” This determination preserves Trump’s historic conviction, which, if upheld, would establish him as the first convicted felon to serve in the White House. Within his 41-page judgment, Justice Merchan countered Trump’s assertion that the government’s case relied on evidence pertaining to his official work as president, which would be protected by immunity. He specified that the evidence presented during the trial related “entirely to unofficial conduct.” Furthermore, the judge highlighted that the Supreme Court, in its own decision, had concluded that “not everything the president does is official,” even if conducted from the Oval Office. Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for Trump, issued a statement to US media, condemning the ruling and labeling it “a direct violation of the Supreme Court’s decision on immunity.” Mr. Cheung asserted, “This lawless case should have never been brought, and the Constitution demands that it be immediately dismissed.” A New York jury had previously found Trump guilty in May of falsifying business records. This conviction originated from Trump’s efforts to conceal reimbursements to his former attorney, Michael Cohen, who in 2016 compensated an adult film star to ensure her silence regarding an alleged sexual encounter with Trump. Trump has consistently refuted any wrongdoing. Justice Merchan had initially planned to issue a ruling on the conviction on 12 November. However, he deferred the decision, indicating a desire to consult with prosecutors regarding the case’s progression after Trump’s re-election. Subsequently, Trump submitted an additional motion to have the case dismissed, contending that his impending return to the White House necessitated the case’s termination. With Justice Merchan’s recent decision, Trump’s legal team is widely expected to pursue additional postponements and appeals. The judge has also not yet determined if a sentence will be imposed before Trump assumes office in January, after his term concludes in 2029, or not at all.