Trump Seeks To Move Hush Money Case To Federal Court In Bid To Delay Sentencing

AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson, Pool

Former President Donald Trump’s legal team filed a new motion on Thursday, seeking to move his high-profile hush money case to federal court, a maneuver that could throw a wrench in his upcoming sentencing scheduled for September 18.

The case, which led to Trump’s conviction on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in May, is currently under the jurisdiction of New York state court. But Trump’s lawyers argue that the case should be heard in federal court, pointing to a recent Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity. The ruling, made in July, suggested that presidents have some level of immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts, which Trump’s team is now leveraging in a bid to delay his sentencing.

In their filing, Trump’s attorneys urged the court to “confirm that Justice Merchan may not sentence President Trump during litigation over this Second Removal Notice.” They argue that, under the statute Trump cites, his case should be put on hold while the removal notice is litigated.

This isn’t the first time Trump’s team has tried to shift the case to federal court. A similar attempt last year was denied by a federal judge. But with the clock ticking down to sentencing, Trump’s lawyers are doubling down, contending that the Supreme Court’s ruling should now play a pivotal role.

The Manhattan district attorney’s office, which prosecuted the case involving hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign, has yet to comment. Likewise, the former president’s request to delay sentencing until after the November election is still pending before Justice Juan Merchan, who has yet to make a ruling.

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