Judge Merchan denies Trump’s immunity bid to throw out hush money conviction
SUMMARY
Judge Juan Merchan denied President-elect Donald Trump’s motion to overturn his hush money conviction, rejecting claims that Trump’s actions fell under presidential immunity protections. Trump’s legal team cited the Supreme Court’s immunity ruling, arguing he should be shielded from proceedings related to the case. However, Merchan stated the evidence involved “unofficial conduct” outside immunity’s scope and ruled any error in presenting evidence was “harmless” given the “overwhelming evidence of guilt.” Trump, convicted in May for falsifying business records to conceal a hush money payment, remains the first U.S. president found guilty of a felony. His team has framed the case, led by Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg, as a politically motivated “weaponization” of the justice system. Trump spokesman Steven Cheung called the decision a violation of Supreme Court precedent, demanding the case be dismissed to allow Trump to continue his presidential transition.
