• A New York court upheld Donald Trump’s conviction on 34 felony counts for falsifying business records, rejecting claims of presidential immunity because the charges involve personal actions before his presidency.
• Justice Juan Merchan emphasized that the case does not interfere with presidential duties, as it stems from a $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election.
• Trump’s legal team plans to appeal, with critics and supporters watching closely as his legal battles continue during his potential second term.

In a decisive move, a New York court upheld the conviction of President-elect Donald Trump on 34 felony counts for falsifying business records, dismissing claims of presidential immunity.

Supreme Court Ruling on Trump’s Presidential Immunity

Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan made the decision on Monday, rejecting the defense’s argument that Trump’s actions fell under protection provided by a Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity.

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Trump’s legal team claimed that the Manhattan district attorney’s office improperly used evidence protected by this ruling, but prosecutors argued that the case, which predates Trump’s presidency, did not rely on such protections.

Judge Rules on Trump’s Case

Justice Merchan sided with the prosecution, stating that the charges focus on Trump’s personal behavior, not his official presidential duties. He explained, “The People’s use of these acts as evidence…poses no danger of intrusion on the authority and function of the Executive Branch.” The $130,000 payment to adult-film actress Stormy Daniels shortly before the 2016 election remains at the center of the case, entirely separate from Trump’s presidential actions.

Trump’s spokesperson, Steven Cheung, criticized Merchan’s decision, claiming it violated Supreme Court directives on immunity. However, this ruling specifically addressed whether those immunity principles invalidated Trump’s conviction, rather than dismissing the case entirely. Critics and supporters now await further developments.

Ethics Lawyer Backs Merchan’s Decision

Richard Painter, an ethics lawyer in George W. Bush’s administration and a vocal Trump critic, supported Merchan’s decision. He stated, “Judge Merchan got this right.” Painter noted that jail time might not be likely for Trump but pointed out that sentencing will be deferred during Trump’s potential second term.

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Trump’s legal team plans to appeal and will aim to overturn his criminal convictions—the only ones filed against him so far. Two federal cases were recently dropped, and another case in Georgia has stalled following his election victory last month. The spotlight remains on how these legal battles will affect America’s president-elect.

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