Trump loses another bid to erase hush money conviction

A federal judge has once again rejected Donald Trump's effort to have his hush money conviction erased. Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein denied the former president's bid to move the state court case to federal jurisdiction and dismiss it on grounds of presidential immunity.

This is the third time Hellerstein has blocked Trump's attempt to have the U.S. District Court in Manhattan seize control of the case from the New York court where he was tried and convicted. The judge reiterated his earlier finding, stating that the reasons Trump presented for renewing his request were "neither new nor legally sufficient" and that he had "failed to show good cause and diligence."

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He has failed to show good cause and diligence.

Trump was convicted in May 2024 on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. The conviction related to a $130,000 hush money payment made to adult film actor Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign. Trump received an unconditional discharge, meaning his conviction stands but he faces no punishment. He has consistently denied Daniels' claims and asserted his innocence.

Trump is challenging the conviction through the state court appellate process, which is currently pending. His legal team has previously attempted to have the case dismissed by moving it to federal court, citing presidential immunity, particularly after a Supreme Court ruling on official acts. However, Hellerstein's decision followed an order from a federal appeals court for him to reconsider his prior denial, which the judge found was based on legal maneuvers amounting to "two bites at the apple."

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The reasons Trump cited for renewing his request were “neither new nor legally sufficient.”