Federal Judge Denies Trump’s Appeal in Hush Money Conviction As Legal Troubles Persist

A federal judge denied former President Donald Trump’s request to intervene in his New York hush money case, dealing another blow to his legal defense strategy.

At a Glance

U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein rejected Trump’s bid to move the case to federal court
The judge ruled that hush money payments were private acts, not protected by executive authority
Trump was convicted of 34 felony counts related to a $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels
Sentencing is scheduled for September 18, with potential penalties including up to four years in prison

Judge’s Ruling Keeps Case in State Court

In a significant setback for former President Donald Trump, U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein has rejected Trump’s request to intervene in his New York hush money criminal case. This decision keeps the case firmly in state court, where Trump was convicted of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to a $130,000 payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels.

Judge Hellerstein emphasized that the hush money payments were “private, unofficial acts, outside the bounds of executive authority.” This ruling underscores the judiciary’s commitment to treating all defendants equally, regardless of their political stature.

A federal judge on Tuesday swiftly rejected former President Donald Trump's request to intervene in his New York hush money criminal case. https://t.co/bDolm3Gcnx

— CBS News (@CBSNews) September 4, 2024

Implications for Trump’s Legal Battle

The denial of Trump’s request to move the case to federal court is a significant blow to his legal strategy. Trump’s lawyers had argued that the case was tainted by constitutional violations and should be considered under the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on presidential immunity. However, Judge Hellerstein dismissed these claims, stating that his court “does not have jurisdiction to hear Mr. Trump’s arguments concerning the propriety of the New York trial.”

“A federal judge on Tuesday rejected Donald Trump’s request to intervene in his New York hush-money criminal case, thwarting the former president’s latest bid to overturn his felony conviction and delay his sentencing.” – The Guardian

This ruling means that Trump’s legal team will have to pursue their appeals through the state court system, potentially leading to a more prolonged legal battle. The former president’s lawyers have already filed a notice of appeal with the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, signaling their intent to continue fighting the conviction.

Federal judge rejects Donald Trump's request to intervene in wake of hush money conviction | Click on the image to read the full story https://t.co/sGKXnOj0B0

— WLWT (@WLWT) September 4, 2024

Sentencing and Future Legal Challenges

With the federal intervention bid rejected, attention now turns to Trump’s upcoming sentencing, scheduled for after the election. The former president faces potential penalties including up to four years in prison, probation, or a fine.

As this legal saga continues to unfold, it remains clear that the former president faces an uphill battle in his efforts to overturn his conviction and avoid potential penalties. The courts’ consistent rejection of Trump’s attempts to claim special treatment or move proceedings to more favorable venues underscores the principle that no one, not even a former president, is above the law.