A New York judge has denied former President Donald Trump’s latest attempt to overturn his recent criminal conviction in the Manhattan hush money case. The decision keeps Trump’s felony conviction intact as he moves closer to a sentencing hearing set for July 11.
On Tuesday, Trump’s legal team filed a motion asking Judge Juan Merchan to set aside the jury’s guilty verdict, arguing that last week’s Supreme Court decision on presidential immunity should apply to the case. Trump’s attorneys contended that some of the evidence used at trial stemmed from actions he took as president, and therefore should have been excluded under the new Supreme Court standard.
Judge Merchan rejected the motion in a brief order on Tuesday, writing that he had already “considered these arguments and found them unpersuasive.” The judge’s ruling means Trump’s conviction stands, and the scheduled sentencing will proceed unless a higher court intervenes.
Trump was convicted in May on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. The case centered on payments made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels in 2016, which prosecutors alleged were intended to conceal damaging information ahead of the presidential election. Trump has denied any wrongdoing.
The Supreme Court’s recent decision clarified that presidents have broad immunity from prosecution for official acts. Trump’s lawyers argued this ruling should affect the evidence admitted at trial, but Judge Merchan was not persuaded.
With the conviction upheld, Trump now faces sentencing on July 11. He remains the first former U.S. president to be convicted of a felony. Trump’s legal team is expected to appeal the conviction, raising questions about the potential impact of the Supreme Court’s immunity ruling on future proceedings.
Trump’s attorneys continue to insist that the case is politically motivated and that he is innocent of any criminal conduct. They have criticized the trial as unfair and are preparing to challenge the conviction in higher courts.
For those seeking the original reporting, more details are available in ABC11’s coverage of the judge’s decision.
Legal experts will be watching whether Trump’s appeals gain traction, especially as his legal team continues to cite presidential immunity. The outcome could shape how courts handle future cases involving former presidents and their official actions.
As the sentencing date approaches, the stakes remain high, not just for Trump, but for the precedent this case could set. Institutions will be tested on whether the law applies equally to all, regardless of office or political standing.
