Judge rules against Trump bid to throw out hush money conviction

A New York judge rejected President-elect Donald Trump’s attempt to dismiss his conviction for concealing hush money payments, ruling that presidential immunity does not apply to non-official conduct.

Judge Juan Merchan denied Trump’s motion, stating the Supreme Court's immunity precedent for presidents’ official acts is irrelevant in this case. “The defendant’s motion to dismiss the indictment and vacate the jury verdict… is denied,” Merchan ruled.

The decision means Trump, pending appeals, may enter the White House with a felony conviction, a historic first. Trump has contested the conviction on various grounds, including alleged juror misconduct, and sought to transfer the case to federal court to potentially dismiss it as president.

Trump’s legal team cited a July Supreme Court ruling that shields presidents from prosecution for official acts as justification for immunity, but Merchan concluded the ruling did not apply. The case revolves around allegations that Trump paid hush money to silence a porn star about an alleged affair, then concealed those payments to protect his 2016 campaign.

Prosecutors opposed outright dismissal, arguing such measures exceeded what was necessary to preserve the presidency. They suggested alternative accommodations, like pausing the case during Trump’s presidency, to avoid interference.

The trial jury found Trump guilty of falsifying records to conceal the payments, determining the scheme was intended to avoid a scandal that could have harmed his election chances against Hillary Clinton.

Separately, Trump’s lawyers recently petitioned New York Attorney General Letitia James to drop a $464 million civil fraud penalty, citing the “greater good of the country” as Trump prepares to return to power. That request was also denied.