A New York judge, Juan Merchan, has ruled that former President Donald Trump’s hush money conviction remains valid, rejecting Trump’s request to overturn the verdict based on the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity.
Trump’s legal team argued that his conviction should be dismissed following the Supreme Court’s landmark decision granting presidents broad immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts while in office. However, Judge Merchan sided with prosecutors, maintaining that Trump’s conviction involved unofficial conduct that does not qualify for immunity protections.
The decision upholds Trump’s historic conviction, which could make him the first felon to serve as President of the United States if the ruling is sustained on appeal.
In May 2024, a New York jury found Trump guilty of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. The charges stemmed from payments made to Trump's former lawyer, Michael Cohen, to reimburse him for hush money given to adult film star Stormy Daniels in 2016 to cover up an alleged sexual encounter. Trump has denied the allegations and any wrongdoing.
In his 41-page ruling, Judge Merchan firmly rejected Trump’s arguments, stating that the evidence presented at trial related entirely to unofficial conduct. Merchan referenced the Supreme Court’s own ruling, which clarified that not all actions performed by a president are considered official, even when carried out from the Oval Office.
Reacting to the decision, Trump spokesman Steven Cheung issued a statement condemning the ruling as a violation of the Supreme Court’s precedent on immunity.
“This lawless case should have never been brought, and the Constitution demands that it be immediately dismissed,” Cheung said.
The ruling preserves Trump’s conviction as legal challenges continue, marking another significant development in the legal battles surrounding the former president. Trump remains resolute in his denial of the charges as he prepares for the possibility of further appeals.
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