New York judge in President-elect Donald Trump criminal hush money case ruled Monday that the Supreme Court’s ruling on presidential immunity does not apply in that case.
Trump tried to dismiss the accusation vacate the verdict of the jury Prosecutors are expected to present evidence of Trump’s official acts as president after the Supreme Court ruled in July that Trump is entitled to presumptive immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts while in office.
However, Judge Juan Merchan said on Monday that the evidence in the Trump hush money case relates to “entirely non-official conduct” and “does not risk impinging on the authority and function of the Executive branch.”
It was Trump found guilty In May, adult film actress Stormy Daniels was indicted on 34 counts of falsifying business records to boost her electoral chances in the 2016 presidential election. Judge Merchan has not yet issued a sentence.
In Monday’s ruling, Judge Merchane found there was “overwhelming evidence of guilt” after the jury convicted Trump last spring.
The judge rejected Trump’s argument that White House communications director Hope Hicks’ testimony, Twitter messages about attorney Michael Cohen and other evidence are official acts.
President-elect Donald Trump delivers remarks at Mar-a-Lagon in Palm Beach, Florida, on December 16, 2024.
Brian Snyder/Reuters
“Just as the title of Communications Director does not confer absolute immunity from any communication with Ms. Hicks, a mere reference to the Department of Justice does not make a tweet an official act,” Merchan wrote in his ruling.
“Therefore, it is logical and reasonable to conclude that, having determined that falsifying records to cover up payments is an unofficial act of informing the public, communications to encourage such coverage should also be unofficial,” the judge wrote.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
