Appeals Court Allows Trump to Pursue Federal Review of Hush Money Conviction

A federal appeals court on Thursday cleared the way for former President Donald Trump to seek transferring his criminal conviction in the New York City hush money case from state to federal court. Trump argues that a federal judge should dismiss the jury’s 34-count guilty verdict in light of the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on presidential immunity, The Hill reported. The three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit said it “cannot be confident” that the lower court adequately considered Trump’s arguments regarding transfer. The judges noted that important issues affecting “good cause” remain unresolved and left it to the district court to determine whether further briefing or a hearing is needed. The panel included Judges Raymond Lohier and Susan Carney, appointed by President Obama, and Judge Myrna Pérez, appointed by President Biden.

Trump was convicted last year on charges of falsifying business records tied to payments intended to conceal an alleged affair with adult film actress Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election. A spokesperson for Trump’s legal team characterized the ruling as a victory against what they called “Radical Democrat Lawfare” and said the Manhattan DA’s prosecution should be “immediately overturned and dismissed,” citing the Supreme Court’s immunity decision and constitutional precedent. The team emphasized Trump’s continued focus on “Make America Great Again” while defending himself in court.

Meanwhile, New York Attorney General Letitia James faces her own legal battles. A judge recently denied a motion requesting federal prosecutors to maintain logs of communications with the media in her mortgage fraud case. The motion arose after reports that U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan exchanged encrypted Signal messages with a reporter regarding the case. While the judge deemed the communications “unusual,” he offered no opinion on their legality or ethics. James, who pleaded not guilty to bank fraud and making false statements, is accused of misrepresenting occupancy on a Norfolk, Virginia, property to secure favorable mortgage terms. If convicted, she could face up to 60 years in prison and a $2 million fine.