Trump's bid to erase hush money conviction rejected again by federal judge

A federal judge has once again denied Donald Trump's efforts to overturn his hush money conviction, rejecting his attempt to move the state court case to federal jurisdiction on grounds of presidential immunity. U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein reiterated his previous findings, stating that Trump's arguments were neither new nor legally sufficient.

“

He has failed to show good cause and diligence.

This is the third instance in which Hellerstein has prevented the U.S. District Court in Manhattan from taking control of the case from the New York court where Trump was tried and found guilty. Trump's legal team has vowed to appeal the ruling, calling it "baseless and lawless" and asserting that "President Trump will be filing a powerful appeal."

“

The Supreme Court's historic decision on Immunity, the Federal and New York State Constitutions, and other established legal precedent mandate that the Witch Hunt perpetrated by the Manhattan DA be removed to federal court, and immediately overturned and dismissed.

The conviction, which occurred in May 2024, made Trump the first former U.S. president to be convicted of a crime. The case centered on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to conceal a $130,000 payment made to adult film actor Stormy Daniels. Trump has maintained his innocence, denying Daniels' claims of a sexual encounter and stating he did nothing wrong.

“

President Trump will be filing a powerful appeal, and will continue defeating Democrat weaponization at every turn.

Trump is pursuing separate challenges to his conviction through the state court appellate process, which is still pending. Hellerstein's decision follows a previous order from a federal appeals court directing him to reconsider his earlier denial of Trump's request. The judge had previously criticized Trump's lawyers for employing legal tactics that amounted to seeking "two bites at the apple."

“

taking 'two bites at the apple.'