NY Judge Upholds Trump's 34 Felony Counts in Hush Money Case, Rejects Immunity Claims

Dec 17, 2024, 01:20 PM

A New York judge has rejected President-elect Donald Trump's bid to dismiss his conviction in the hush money case, ruling that the conviction withstands the U.S. Supreme Court's recent decision on presidential immunity. Judge Juan Merchan determined that the evidence presented in the case was related to unofficial conduct and did not infringe on the authority of the Executive Branch. Trump was convicted in May on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to a $130,000 payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, aimed at silencing her about an alleged affair during the 2016 presidential campaign. The judge's decision keeps the conviction intact despite Trump's arguments that the Supreme Court's ruling on immunity should apply.