Trump hush money case/ conviction delay/ New York court/ presidential immunity/ Stormy Daniels payment/ Trump legal cases/ Newslooks/ NEW YORK/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A New York judge postponed deciding whether to overturn President-elect Trump’s conviction in a hush money case, giving prosecutors more time to weigh the impact of his recent election win. Trump’s lawyers argue that the case should be dismissed to prevent interference with his presidency. The next hearing is scheduled for November 19.
Trump Hush Money Case Quick Look
- Case Postponement: Judge delays ruling on dismissing Trump’s conviction until Nov. 19.
- Defense Argument: Trump’s lawyers claim conviction dismissal is essential for him to govern.
- Prosecutor’s Position: They need time to consider the case’s impact on the presidency.
- Case Background: Conviction centers on business records linked to a payment to Stormy Daniels.
- Related Cases: Trump faces three additional indictments in other jurisdictions.
Judge Delays Ruling on Trump’s Hush Money Conviction
Deep Look
In a significant legal development, a New York judge postponed ruling on whether to overturn President-elect Donald Trump’s conviction in his hush money case, following his recent election victory. Trump’s attorneys are urging Judge Juan M. Merchan to dismiss the conviction, arguing that it could impede Trump’s ability to lead effectively upon his return to the White House in January. The judge rescheduled the decision for November 19, granting prosecutors additional time to consider how the situation may impact both the case and Trump’s impending presidency.
The case centers on Trump’s conviction in May for falsifying business records related to a $130,000 payment to adult film actor Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign. This payment was allegedly made to keep Daniels silent about claims of a past affair with Trump. Although Trump denies the allegations and maintains that the case is politically motivated, the conviction was a first for any former U.S. president and could result in penalties ranging from probation to a prison sentence of up to four years.
Trump’s legal team initially sought to have the case dismissed based on a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling. In that decision, the court affirmed that former presidents are immune from prosecution for actions taken as part of their official duties. Trump’s attorneys argue that this ruling applies to his case, as evidence presented to the jury included materials that should have been excluded, such as his presidential financial disclosures and testimony from White House aides. Prosecutors, however, counter that this evidence constituted only a minor portion of the overall case.
In light of Trump’s re-election, prosecutors say they need time to balance “the competing interests” of the jury’s verdict with the requirements of the presidency. Matthew Colangelo, one of the prosecutors, highlighted the “unprecedented circumstances” and the need to assess how best to proceed. Trump’s lawyer Emil Bove responded that dismissing the case is crucial to avoid “unconstitutional impediments” to Trump’s ability to govern.
This high-profile case remains one of several ongoing legal battles for Trump. Despite his private citizen status at the time of the alleged offense in 2016, the 2024 election outcome has created new legal questions, especially with Trump now on the verge of becoming president again. Trump’s lawyers argue that any criminal sentencing of a sitting president could create a “spectacle” that undermines governance, potentially leading courts to intervene in the conviction.
In addition to his hush money case, Trump faces three other criminal indictments in separate jurisdictions. Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith is reportedly exploring ways to wrap up both the 2020 election interference case and the classified documents case against Trump before he assumes office. This aligns with longstanding Department of Justice policy that prohibits prosecuting sitting presidents.
Meanwhile, Trump’s legal team has also filed for the hush money case to be moved to federal court. A federal judge denied this request before the election, but Trump’s attorneys have appealed, and the matter is under review.
Further complicating Trump’s legal landscape, a Georgia election interference case is mostly on hold as Trump and other defendants appeal a judge’s ruling. The case remains active under Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, who continues to lead the prosecution despite recent legal challenges.
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