Trump Pushes for Federal Court in Controversial Case

Donald Trump seeks to move his hush-money case to federal court, adding another twist to his legal woes.

At a Glance

Former President Trump wants federal court jurisdiction over his New York hush-money case.
Trump aims to overturn his felony conviction and indefinitely delay his sentencing.
Lawyers claim constitutional rights violations and seek a federal forum free from local hostilities.
The same judge who previously rejected moving the case will decide on this request.

Trump Requests Federal Court Jurisdiction

Donald Trump’s legal team has formally requested that a federal court assume jurisdiction over his hush-money case. The former President’s conviction involves payments allegedly made to silence claims of extramarital affairs. Trump’s lawyers argue that transitioning the case from state to federal court may offer a strategic advantage, potentially mitigating any local biases present in the current setting.

This shift in jurisdiction is essential, according to Trump’s team, because they claim state prosecutors have violated his constitutional rights. The latest move in his legal battle serves as a testament to the complex strategies often employed in high-stakes courtroom disputes.

Trump Seeks Federal Court Intervention In New York Hush Money Casehttps://t.co/tCmOsCTkGc pic.twitter.com/bI1EsDhVWN

— Forbes (@Forbes) August 30, 2024

Constitutional Violations and Supreme Court Rulings

Trump’s lawyers argue that the prosecution in his case violated his constitutional rights by improperly applying legal standards. They point to the U.S. Supreme Court’s presidential immunity ruling, which restricts the prosecution of ex-presidents for actions undertaken in their official capacity. They suggest that moving the case to a federal court will ensure a fair and just trial, protected from local hostilities.

Trump’s attorneys claim in a filing with the Southern District of New York federal court that the prosecution’s procedures “have been applied in a way that conflicts with” the Supreme Court’s July ruling on presidential immunity.

This case involves 34 felony counts related to a $130,000 payment made to Stormy Daniels. His legal team asserts the payments were for legal work, contending the case against him is politically motivated. The argument for federal intervention highlights how such high-profile cases often serve as battlegrounds for political and legal principles.

Trump asks federal court to intervene in hush money case in bid to toss conviction, delay sentencing https://t.co/VzjRysSGo2

— POLITICO (@politico) August 30, 2024

Impact on 2024 Presidential Campaign

Trump’s legal team is working to delay the impending sentencing scheduled for September 18. They argue that his conviction’s sentencing could significantly interfere with his ongoing 2024 presidential campaign, affecting voters far beyond Manhattan. They emphasize the need for a fair trial and an unbiased forum to avoid “direct and irreparable harm” to Trump’s candidacy.

The defense also argued that the ongoing proceedings “will continue to cause direct and irreparable harm to President Trump — the leading candidate in the 2024 Presidential election — and voters located far beyond Manhattan.”

If the request to move to federal court is denied, Trump faces the possibility of a sentence that could include fines up to $170,000 and prison time. However, as a first-time offender, Trump is unlikely to see any imprisonment. The trial judge, Juan M. Merchan, is also considering Trump’s request to postpone the sentencing indefinitely based on the Supreme Court’s immunity decision, adding another layer of complexity to this legal drama.