Judge Juan Merchan wrote Monday that Donald Trump’s hush money conviction should not be dismissed because of the Supreme Court’s presidential immunity decision, ruling that the evidence presented by the Manhattan district attorney’s office was not related to Trump’s official actions as president.
The judge did not, however, rule Monday on a motion from Trump’s attorneys to dismiss the conviction because Trump has now been elected president. Instead, his 41-page decision focused on the question of presidential immunity.
Merchan wrote that the evidence contested by Trump’s lawyers related “entirely to unofficial conduct” and should receive no immunity protections.
Trump’s transition team responded to the ruling on Monday, claiming in a statement that it violates the Supreme Court’s ruling on immunity and that Trump must be allowed to execute the duties of the presidency “unobstructed by the remains of this, or any other, Witch Hunt.”
“Today’s decision by deeply conflicted, acting Justice Merchan in the Manhattan DA Witch Hunt is a direct violation of the Supreme Court’s decision on immunity, and other longstanding jurisprudence,” transition spokesperson Steven Cheung said in the statement.
“This lawless case should have never been brought, and the Constitution demands that it be immediately dismissed, as President Trump must be allowed to continue the Presidential Transition process, and execute the vital duties of the presidency, unobstructed by the remains of this, or any other, Witch Hunt. The sooner these hoaxes end, the sooner our country can unite behind President Trump for the betterment of all Americans,” Cheung also said.
Read more about Merchan’s ruling.
