Trump Appeals Decision to Keep Hush-Money Case in State Court
29-07-2023 : Former President Donald Trump is appealing a federal judge’s decision to keep his hush-money criminal case in a New York state court, claiming it is unfair to him. His lawyers filed a notice of appeal with the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan after US District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein rejected his bid to move the case to federal court, where he believed he would be immune from prosecution.
The case involves allegations that Trump falsified business records to hide reimbursements made to his personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, for payments to Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal. Trump denies having any sexual encounters with either woman and argues that the payments were legitimate legal expenses.
The Manhattan district attorney’s office, prosecuting the case, fought to keep it in state court, and Trump’s appeal seeks to challenge this decision. His legal team has argued that some of the alleged conduct involved official presidential duties as it occurred while he was president in 2017.
Moving the case to federal court would have significant legal and practical implications for Trump. His lawyers could attempt to get the charges dismissed by asserting immunity from prosecution over actions taken as part of his official job duties. Additionally, a shift to federal court would lead to a more politically diverse jury pool, drawing from both Democratic-heavy Manhattan and suburban counties where Trump has more political support.
This appeal comes amid a busy week of legal action for the former president, who was also indicted on new criminal charges in a separate case in federal court in Florida, involving allegations of illegally hoarding classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate.
Trump is scheduled to stand trial in state court on the hush-money case in March 2024. His lawyers have also requested the state court judge to step aside, citing bias due to his daughter’s political consulting work for some of Trump’s Democratic rivals. The judge has yet to rule on this request.
The outcome of this appeal could have significant ramifications for the legal proceedings surrounding the hush-money case, potentially impacting the trial venue and the arguments made in Trump’s defense. As the legal battles continue, Trump’s ambition for a return to the White House in the next year’s election remains a focal point in the broader political landscape.
