Trump Appeals Hush Money Conviction, Citing Presidential Immunity/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump is asking a federal appeals court to overturn his historic hush money conviction. His lawyers argue presidential immunity and improper evidence played a role in the 2024 trial outcome. The 2nd Circuit judges will deliberate and rule later as Trump’s legal team eyes the U.S. Supreme Court.
Trump’s Hush Money Appeal Moves to Federal Court – Quick Looks
- Trump asks federal court to overturn 2024 hush money conviction, citing presidential immunity.
- Arguments heard Wednesday in New York by a three-judge panel of the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
- Trump’s legal team claims trial included improper evidence and rushed proceedings.
- DOJ under Trump supports move to federal court; lower courts previously rejected the request.
- Judges expressed skepticism on post-conviction removal but acknowledged case’s uniqueness.
- Prosecutors say Trump delayed request beyond 30-day rule and failed to show “good cause.”
- Trump was convicted of 34 felonies for falsifying business records related to payments to Stormy Daniels.
- Trump denies the allegations and maintains his actions were personal, not presidential.
- Defense claims verdict was influenced by evidence barred under new Supreme Court immunity ruling.
- If Trump loses in appeals court, he may bring the case before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Trump Appeals Hush Money Conviction: Inside the Legal Showdown – Deep Look
NEW YORK — President Donald Trump is pushing to overturn his landmark hush money conviction, bringing his legal battle to the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan. On Wednesday, his legal team argued that the 2024 conviction should be thrown out due to presidential immunity and procedural violations, spotlighting one of the most politically charged legal fights in modern U.S. history.
Trump’s legal team wants the hush money case — originally tried in New York state court — transferred to federal jurisdiction. The move would potentially allow Trump to challenge the conviction on the grounds that his actions, including the alleged falsification of business records, were entangled with his official presidential duties.
The three-judge panel, made up entirely of Democratic appointees, heard over an hour of arguments from both Trump’s legal team and the Manhattan District Attorney’s office. The judges included Susan L. Carney, Raymond J. Lohier Jr., and Myrna Pérez, appointed by Presidents Obama and Biden.
Trump’s lawyer, Jeffrey Wall, argued that the unprecedented nature of the case justifies moving it to federal court. “Everything about this cries out for federal court,” Wall told the panel. He emphasized that Trump is “a class of one,” arguing that the prosecution improperly introduced evidence related to Trump’s official duties — which, under a Supreme Court ruling last year, should be protected.
At the core of the appeal is the 2024 Supreme Court ruling that clarified former presidents cannot be prosecuted for official acts while in office. Trump’s legal team says this precedent invalidates parts of the state trial, particularly the use of tweets and internal White House reactions to media coverage of the hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels.
The Manhattan DA’s appellate chief, Steven Wu, countered that Trump’s attempt to move the case is both legally and procedurally flawed. Wu noted that the defense failed to file for removal within the usual 30-day deadline and only sought the transfer months after the conviction. “This defendant is unusual,” Wu admitted, “but the process is not.”
The hush money trial — the only one of Trump’s four criminal cases to reach a verdict — ended in May 2024 with Trump convicted of 34 felony counts for falsifying business records related to a $130,000 payment made to Daniels to silence her allegations of a past affair. Trump has always denied the claims and insisted the case was politically motivated.
Despite calls for dismissal based on the Supreme Court ruling, New York Judge Juan Merchan upheld the verdict in January 2025, issuing an unconditional discharge — a rare sentence that leaves the conviction intact but imposes no penalties. Trump’s team then turned to federal court, aiming for a reversal.
Wall defended the delay in seeking federal intervention by saying the legal team was trying to resolve the immunity issue through state court channels first.
“We didn’t want to litigate the same issue in multiple places,” he argued.
The DOJ, now operating under Trump’s second administration, has filed support for his position, calling the conviction a federal concern. That backing could influence the judges’ final decision, though legal scholars note the high bar for post-verdict removal.
The 2nd Circuit panel did not immediately issue a ruling and is expected to deliberate further. Should the court deny the request, Trump’s next and final stop would likely be the U.S. Supreme Court.
Regardless of the outcome, the legal maneuvering underscores how deeply Trump’s criminal cases remain entangled with his presidency — past and present — and how presidential immunity continues to be tested.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.