Judge again rejects Trump's bid to erase his New York hush money conviction

On Friday, a federal judge once again blocked President Trump from removing his New York hush money conviction from state court to federal court. U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein deemed Trump's reasons for the request "neither new nor legally sufficient," particularly his claims that his trial testimony and social media statements infringe on presidential immunity.

The judge emphasized that paying hush money to an adult film star or covering up an affair are not protected by presidential immunity. This is the third time Hellerstein has rejected Trump's attempt to have the Manhattan trial moved to federal court. The president's legal team plans to appeal the ruling, calling it "baseless and lawless."

Trump was convicted in 2024 on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records for a $130,000 payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels, who accused him of an extramarital affair years earlier. He was given a sentence of unconditional discharge, with no jail time or restrictions. Trump denies both the affair and any wrongdoing related to the payment.

Despite the Supreme Court's July 2024 ruling that presidents cannot be prosecuted for official acts and prosecutors cannot use official acts as evidence of illegal unofficial actions, Trump continues to challenge his conviction through the state court appellate process.