Trump Pursues Federal Court Move in Controversial Case

Former President Donald Trump seeks federal court intervention in his New York hush money case, aiming to overturn his conviction and delay sentencing.

At a Glance

Trump requests federal court takeover of his hush money case, seeking to overturn conviction and delay sentencing
His lawyers argue the case violated constitutional rights and recent Supreme Court immunity ruling
They claim federal court would provide an unbiased forum free from local hostilities
If moved to federal court, Trump’s team will seek case dismissal on immunity grounds

Trump’s Legal Strategy Shifts to Federal Court

In a bold legal maneuver, former President Donald Trump has requested federal court intervention in his New York hush money criminal case. This move comes as part of Trump’s ongoing efforts to overturn his felony conviction and indefinitely delay his sentencing, which is currently scheduled for September 18.

Trump’s legal team argues that moving the case to federal court is necessary to provide an “unbiased forum, free from local hostilities.” They claim that the prosecution violated Trump’s constitutional rights and the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling on presidential immunity.

Trump Seeks Federal Court Intervention In New York Hush Money Casehttps://t.co/tCmOsCTkGc pic.twitter.com/bI1EsDhVWN

— Forbes (@Forbes) August 30, 2024

Implications for Trump’s Presidential Campaign

The timing of this legal strategy is crucial, as Trump’s lawyers argue that the ongoing proceedings will have significant implications beyond Manhattan. In their filing, they stated, “The ongoing proceedings will continue to cause direct and irreparable harm to President Trump—the leading candidate in the 2024 presidential election—and voters located far beyond Manhattan.”

If the case remains in state court, Trump’s sentencing is set for September 18, which his legal team argues would interfere with the upcoming election. By seeking to move the case to federal court, Trump’s lawyers aim to have the verdict overturned and the case dismissed on immunity grounds.

Legal Challenges and Potential Outcomes

The request for federal court intervention will be decided by U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein, the same judge who previously rejected Trump’s attempt to move the case to federal court. Trump’s lawyers argue that circumstances have changed since their initial attempt, citing alleged misleading statements by state prosecutors and testimony involving Trump’s actions as president.

“The evidence overwhelmingly suggests that the matter was a purely a personal item of the president—a cover-up of an embarrassing event,” wrote U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein.

Trump was convicted of 34 felony counts related to a $130,000 hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. While each count carries a maximum punishment of $5,000 and/or four years in prison, legal experts suggest that, as a first-time offender, Trump is unlikely to face prison time. Nevertheless, the legal wrangling could provide Trump with a crucial reprieve during his presidential campaign.