Judge Denies Trump's Bid to Move Hush Money Conviction to Federal Court
A federal judge has once again denied former President Donald Trump's effort to shift his state-level criminal conviction to federal court. The conviction involves 34 felony counts of falsifying business records linked to a 2016 hush money payment to Stormy Daniels. Trump's legal team argued for the transfer on the grounds of presidential immunity, but the motion was rejected by U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein.
Judge Hellerstein's decision emphasized that the motion lacked both timeliness and a legal basis. He noted that the discussions surrounding the hush money payments could not be considered an official presidential act. This ruling marks the third time Hellerstein has denied Trump's attempts to move the case out of New York state jurisdiction.
The legal team filed the removal motion two months after Trump's May 2024 guilty verdict, far exceeding the standard removal window, which is typically within 30 days of arraignment or before trial. The judge described the delay as a strategic decision lacking new or sufficient legal grounds.
Previously, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals had instructed Hellerstein to reconsider his earlier denial in light of a 2024 Supreme Court decision on presidential immunity. However, Hellerstein reaffirmed his stance, maintaining that the case remains under New York State court jurisdiction.
Trump's legal team has indicated plans to appeal the decision, keeping the case within the state appellate process for the time being.