Trump lawyers push to overturn hush money conviction after Supreme Court ruling
Trump's NY hush money sentencing delayed until September
Former President Donald Trump’s sentencing in his hush money case was postponed until at least September as the judge agreed Tuesday to weigh the possible impact of a new Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity. The delay is a major reprieve for Trump, who had been scheduled to face sentencing July 11 on his New York conviction on felony charges of falsifying business records. He denies any wrongdoing.
Donald Trump’s legal team is urging a New York judge to overturn his conviction in the hush money case following a Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity, the Associated Press reported on Thursday.
The lawyers argue that the ruling, which grants broad immunity protections to presidents, invalidates Trump’s conviction for falsifying records to cover up a potential sex scandal.
Trump's attorneys, Todd Blanche and Emil Bove, criticized prosecutors for rushing the trial while the Supreme Court was still deliberating on the immunity claims. They argued that the judge, Juan Merchan, should address these alleged injustices and dismiss the case based on the new Supreme Court decision.
Judge to rule on requests in September
Judge Merchan has set September 6 as the date to rule on the defense’s requests and September 18 for sentencing, if still necessary. Prosecutors have until July 24 to respond to the defense's arguments.
Key arguments and Supreme Court ruling
Trump’s lawyers argue that jurors should not have heard certain evidence, including Trump’s conversations with former White House Communications Director Hope Hicks and some of his tweets. They contend that the Supreme Court ruling, which restricts prosecutors from using official acts to prove a president's unofficial actions violated the law, supports their case.
Trump’s trial began on April 15, 2023, and a Manhattan jury convicted him on May 30 on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. These charges stemmed from an alleged attempt to cover up a $130,000 payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels before the 2016 presidential election.
Daniels claims she had a sexual encounter with Trump in 2006, which Trump has denied. At a June 27 debate with President Joe Biden, Trump reiterated his denial, stating, "I didn’t have sex with a porn star." Trump has vowed to appeal the conviction but cannot do so until sentencing.
Prosecutors argue that the payment to Daniels was part of a broader scheme to silence individuals who might have gone public with embarrassing stories about Trump during his campaign. Trump’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen, testified that he paid Daniels and was reimbursed by Trump, disguising the payments as legal expenses.
Previous immunity claims and trial delays
Trump’s lawyers had previously tried to invoke presidential immunity to move the case to federal court, but the request was denied. They also sought to delay the trial until the Supreme Court ruled on his immunity claim, but Judge Merchan denied the request, deeming it untimely.
During the trial, jurors heard testimony from 22 witnesses, including Cohen and Daniels. Trump’s lawyers tried to prevent certain evidence from being shown, such as discussions in the Oval Office about the hush money arrangements and tweets that prosecutors used to suggest Trump tried to pressure Cohen.
Sentencing implications and presidential campaign
The delay in sentencing has spared Trump from potential punishments just days before the Republican National Convention, where he is expected to be nominated as the party’s presidential candidate.
If convicted, potential sentences range from probation to up to four years in prison. As it is a state case, Trump would not be able to pardon himself if re-elected president.
The Associated Press contributed to this story. It was reported from Los Angeles.