Politics
Federal judge again denies Trump's request to transfer hush money case to federal court
A federal judge ruled that President Trump failed to show good cause or diligence in his third attempt to move his New York state conviction into federal court.
The short version
- U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein rejected President Donald Trump's third attempt to move his New York state hush money conviction to federal court.
- The judge ruled that Trump's arguments were neither new nor legally sufficient and noted that he waited too long to seek the transfer after his May 2024 conviction.
- Trump's legal team announced plans to appeal the ruling, while his separate appeal in New York state court remains pending.
Key facts
- U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein rejected President Donald Trump's bid to transfer his New York state criminal conviction to federal court.[Associated Press · The Hill · PBS NewsHour]
- Judge Hellerstein ruled that Trump failed to demonstrate good cause and diligence, calling the renewed request untimely and legally insufficient.[The Hill · The Washington Post · PBS NewsHour]
- This decision marks the third time Judge Hellerstein has blocked Trump from moving the case out of state court.[The Hill · The Washington Post · PBS NewsHour]
- The ruling followed an order from the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals instructing Judge Hellerstein to reconsider his prior denial.[Associated Press · The Hill · PBS NewsHour]
- Trump was convicted in May 2024 on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in connection with a hush money payment to Stormy Daniels.[The Hill · PBS NewsHour]
- A spokesperson for Trump's legal team criticized the ruling as baseless and lawless and confirmed that Trump will appeal the decision.[The Hill · PBS NewsHour]
What remains uncertain
- The outcome of Trump's planned appeal to the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals remains pending.[The Hill · PBS NewsHour]
- The resolution of Trump's separate, ongoing appeal in New York state courts has not yet been determined.[Associated Press · The Hill · PBS NewsHour]
Sources
- Trump loses again in bid to erase his hush money convictionPBS NewsHour - Politics
- Judge rejects Trump’s latest bid to challenge hush money convictionThe Washington Post - Politics metered
- President Donald Trump loses again in bid to erase his hush money convictionAssociated Press
- Trump can’t appeal New York conviction in federal court, judge rules againThe Hill
- Trump loses bid to transfer New York hush money case to federal courtCNBC