Judge Juan Merchan Upholds Trump’s Hush Money Conviction, Rejects Immunity Claim

New York Judge Juan Merchan has upheld Donald Trump’s hush money conviction, rejecting arguments that the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on presidential immunity should nullify the case.

Trump’s legal team had urged the judge to overturn his conviction, citing the U.S. Supreme Court’s July decision granting presidents broad immunity for official acts while in office. However, Judge Merchan ruled that Trump’s conviction—stemming from falsifying business records—centered on unofficial conduct and was, therefore, not covered by immunity.

Merchan emphasized in his 41-page ruling that the evidence presented, which involved reimbursements to Michael Cohen for payments to an adult film star in 2016, was unrelated to Trump’s official duties as president.

The decision preserves Trump’s historic conviction, which could make him the first felon to serve as President if upheld. In May 2024, a New York jury found Trump guilty of 34 felony counts for covering up the hush money payments.

Reacting to the ruling, Trump spokesman Steven Cheung criticized it as a violation of the Supreme Court’s decision, calling for the case’s dismissal.

Trump has maintained his innocence, denying any wrongdoing related to the hush money payments.