NEW YORK: A US federal judge on Friday rejected President Donald Trump’s latest attempt to transfer his New York hush money case from state to federal court, ruling that his arguments were neither new nor legally sufficient.
Federal Judge Alvin Hellerstein said Trump’s latest request did not present grounds that justified reconsidering his previous decision.
“The grounds for a second removal cited by Defendant, Donald J. Trump, are neither new nor legally sufficient,” Hellerstein ruled.
The decision came after a federal appeals court directed Hellerstein to reconsider Trump’s request following a 2024 US Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity.
Why did Trump seek to move the case?
Trump has argued that the Supreme Court’s immunity ruling, which shields presidents from prosecution for certain official acts, affects evidence and testimony used against him.
His lawyers sought to move the case from state court to federal court, arguing that the immunity decision provided grounds for reconsideration.
Hellerstein rejected the argument and reaffirmed his earlier decision.
“I reaffirm my former decision. The president’s motion is denied,” the judge said.
Trump was convicted on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in connection with a $130,000 payment made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, whose legal name is Stephanie Clifford.
What happens next?
Trump has challenged the conviction and is seeking to overturn the verdict through the appeals process.
His legal team has indicated that it plans to appeal Hellerstein’s latest ruling.
The case remains tied to the 2024 Supreme Court immunity ruling, which Trump’s lawyers contend could affect the admissibility of evidence and testimony used by prosecutors.