Following the conclusion of Special Counsel Jack Smith’s investigations into Donald Trump, Trump’s legal team demanded the Justice Department withhold the final report, citing the Presidential Transition Act and presidential immunity. This request, sent to Attorney General Merrick Garland, intensified calls for the report’s public release. Smith’s report, covering investigations into classified documents and election subversion, was submitted to Garland, who will decide on its public disclosure. Despite Trump’s team’s efforts and a related request to Judge Cannon, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals currently holds jurisdiction over the case.
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Following the January 6th Capitol attack, Donald Trump escaped criminal prosecution, despite calls for accountability from both Democrats and Republicans. Critics, including some within the Biden administration, fault Attorney General Merrick Garland for delaying the appointment of a special prosecutor until after Trump’s reelection, enabling Trump to avoid trial due to legal protections afforded to sitting presidents. This delay, coupled with a Supreme Court decision on presidential immunity, allowed Trump to evade responsibility, ultimately winning the 2024 election. While over 1000 individuals involved in the attack faced prosecution, Trump’s actions remain largely unaddressed, other than potential civil lawsuits.
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Manhattan Judge Juan Merchan upheld former President Trump’s conviction on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, rejecting arguments that a Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity invalidated the verdict. The judge determined that the Supreme Court’s decision did not apply to Trump’s actions as a presidential candidate and private citizen, and that even if some evidence of official presidential acts was admitted, it did not affect the overwhelming evidence of guilt. While the ruling is subject to appeal, the judge found that the evidence presented did not infringe on executive branch authority. Trump’s legal team can still challenge the conviction on other grounds.
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Acting Justice Juan Merchan rejected Donald Trump’s claim of presidential immunity in the hush-money case, ruling that the actions were personal, not official. Trump denounced the decision as illegal and politically motivated, claiming it disregarded Supreme Court precedent and constituted a “rigged hoax.” The ruling maintains a gag order preventing Trump from publicly discussing the case. This decision, according to Trump, threatens the future of the presidency.
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A New York judge rejected Donald Trump’s claim of presidential immunity in his 34 felony conviction, ruling that the actions were personal and not related to his official duties. The judge’s decision, a significant interpretation of Supreme Court precedent, affirmed the conviction based on overwhelming evidence of guilt. Trump’s legal team plans to appeal, leveraging his recent election victory and exploring other strategies to overturn the verdict. These strategies include citing laws regarding presidential transitions and the Justice Department’s policy on prosecuting sitting presidents.
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A New York judge has ruled that Donald Trump is not entitled to immunity from prosecution in the hush-money case. This decision directly addresses Trump’s attempt to leverage claims of presidential immunity to dismiss the 34 felony charges against him. The judge’s rejection of this argument is significant, representing a decisive blow to Trump’s legal strategy. This ruling allows the criminal case to proceed, unburdened by the complexities and potential delays that the immunity claim introduced.
The judge’s decision explicitly rejects the argument that actions taken before Trump assumed the presidency, or during his time in office, automatically shield him from prosecution under the umbrella of presidential immunity.… Continue reading
Judge Juan Merchan rejected Donald Trump’s motion to dismiss his hush-money conviction, finding the Supreme Court’s presidential immunity ruling inapplicable. Merchan determined the evidence presented related to Trump’s unofficial conduct, not his official acts as president, thus warranting no immunity. The judge deemed any potential evidentiary errors harmless given the overwhelming evidence of guilt. While a motion alleging juror misconduct remains unfiled, Trump’s legal team is expected to appeal the decision, potentially delaying sentencing for months or years.
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Trump’s recent attempt to dismiss the New York hush money case on the grounds of presidential immunity has been unsuccessful. The court’s rejection of this argument leaves the case open to potentially proceed to sentencing, although Trump’s legal team is likely to continue their fight. This outcome has ignited strong reactions, with many expressing satisfaction that the former president, now president-elect, is being held accountable. Others, however, believe this case highlights a deep-seated inequality within the American justice system.
The ruling against Trump’s immunity claim is seen by many as a victory for the principle of equal justice under the law.… Continue reading
Judge Juan Merchan denied Donald Trump’s motion to dismiss his hush-money conviction, ruling that the charges relate to unofficial conduct, not actions taken while in office. This decision counters Trump’s claim of presidential immunity, as the Supreme Court’s ruling applies only to official acts. The judge’s reasoning centers on the unofficial nature of falsifying records to conceal payments and subsequent communications. While a motion to dismiss the conviction entirely remains pending, the judge’s ruling maintains the conviction for now. Trump’s spokesperson has denounced the decision as a violation of Supreme Court precedent.
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Following Trump’s conviction on 34 felony counts related to hush-money payments, his motion to dismiss the case was opposed by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. Bragg argued that presidential immunity does not apply and suggested a temporary delay in proceedings to avoid interfering with presidential duties, not a dismissal. Both Bragg and the New York attorney general’s office contend the case will not impede Trump’s official functions. The dispute’s resolution could extend into Trump’s presidency, potentially delaying sentencing until after his term.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood