Donald Trump fails in third bid to move hush-money case to federal court

Judge Alvin Hellerstein has rejected a third attempt by Donald Trump to transfer his New York hush-money case to federal court. The judge ruled that Trump’s arguments for the transfer were “neither new nor legally sufficient,” noting that the president failed to show good cause or diligence.

Trump’s legal team sought to move the case to federal court in an effort to have his felony conviction dismissed, citing a Supreme Court decision regarding presidential immunity. However, Hellerstein stated that “paying hush money to an adult film star or engaging in a cover-up of an embarrassment are not subsumed in presidential immunity.”

The case stems from a May 2024 conviction on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. Prosecutors argued the records were falsified to conceal a $130,000 payment made through Michael Cohen to Stormy Daniels to prevent her from speaking about an alleged affair during the 2016 election. Trump has denied any sexual liaison with Daniels.

Trump’s lawyers have denounced the ruling as “baseless and lawless” and announced plans to file an appeal. The legal team maintains that the case is a product of political weaponization.