New York Judge Juan Merchan has ruled that Donald Trump’s hush money conviction remains valid, rejecting Trump’s request to dismiss the case based on the recent Supreme Court immunity ruling.
Trump’s legal team argued that the verdict in New York v. Trump should be overturned, citing the Supreme Court’s decision that presidents have immunity for “official acts” while in office. However, Judge Merchan sided with prosecutors, stating that Trump’s 34 felony convictions were based on “unofficial conduct.”
The ruling upholds Trump’s historic conviction, which, if sustained, would make him the first felon to serve as U.S. president.
In May 2024, a New York jury found Trump guilty of falsifying business records to conceal reimbursements to his former lawyer, Michael Cohen. The payments were linked to a 2016 hush money deal with an adult film star to suppress allegations of a sexual encounter with Trump. Trump has denied any wrongdoing.
In his 41-page ruling, Merchan dismissed Trump’s immunity claims, noting the Supreme Court itself clarified that not all presidential actions are considered official, even those conducted from the Oval Office.
Reacting to the decision, Trump spokesman Steven Cheung criticised the ruling, calling it a “direct violation” of the Supreme Court’s immunity decision and stating the case “should have never been brought.”
