<p>A federal court on Friday rejected President Donald Trump’s attempt to move his New York hush money conviction into federal court, marking a setback for his presidential immunity arguments. U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein ruled that Trump's renewed transfer request was filed too late and did not present legally sufficient new grounds. Trump's legal team filed a notice of appeal on the same day.</p>
<p>Judge Hellerstein stated, “The grounds for a second removal cited by Defendant, Donald J. Trump, are neither new nor legally sufficient. He has failed to show good cause and diligence.” This ruling represents Hellerstein’s third rejection of Trump’s efforts to transfer the case from New York state court to federal court. Hellerstein, who is also presiding over the criminal case of former Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro, reaffirmed his previous decisions, stating, “The President’s motion is denied.”</p>
<p>Federal law allows officials prosecuted for acts connected to their office to seek a federal forum. A successful transfer would not overturn Trump’s conviction but could enable a federal judge to evaluate his argument that evidence used by prosecutors was protected by presidential immunity.</p>
<p>Trump was convicted on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to a $130,000 payment made by his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, to adult film actress Stormy Daniels prior to the 2016 election. Trump has denied any wrongdoing and is appealing the conviction in state court.</p>
<p>Following the conviction, Trump argued that a Supreme Court ruling in 2024, which recognized broad criminal immunity for former presidents, meant that the verdict should not stand. Judge Hellerstein dismissed this argument again on Friday, stating, “Paying hush money to an adult film star or engaging in a cover-up of an embarrassment are not subsumed in presidential immunity.”</p>
<p>The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals had previously sent the matter back to Hellerstein, indicating that he had not adequately addressed Trump’s immunity arguments. The panel did not invalidate Trump’s conviction but instructed the judge to reconsider the transfer request.</p>
<p>The case, led by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, a Democrat, is one of four criminal cases Trump faced during his reelection campaign, with this being the only case to reach trial. The other three cases were dismissed.</p>
<p>Additionally, Cohen stated in a recent radio interview that he had reconciled with Trump after years of conflict. Cohen, who was the principal witness for the prosecution, has claimed he was coerced into testifying, which led Trump to assert that Cohen was “weaponized” against him.</p>
<p>A spokesman for Trump’s legal team described Friday’s ruling as “baseless and lawless,” asserting that the Supreme Court’s immunity decision and constitutional protections warranted moving and dismissing the case. The spokesman added, “President Trump will be filing a powerful appeal and will continue defeating Democrat weaponization at every turn.”</p>
<p>Trump was sentenced on January 10, 2025, to an unconditional discharge with no jail time, fine, or probation. He is also appealing his conviction in state court.</p>