Trump Not Immune From Prosecution In Criminal Hush Money Case, Judge Rules

[xser88]

Trump Not Immune From Prosecution In Criminal Hush Money Case, Judge Rules​

Trump failed to invoke the defense in a timely fashion, the judge determined.

Former President Donald Trump is not immune from prosecution in his New York hush money case, in part because he failed to invoke the defense in a timely fashion, the judge in the case ruled Wednesday.

Trump was "well aware" he could try to claim presidential immunity after he was indicted one year ago on charges of falsifying business records related to a hush payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, Judge Juan Merchan ruled. "Nonetheless, defendant chose not to raise the defense of presidential immunity until well past the 45-day period provided by statute," Merchan said. Merchan avoided ruling on the merits of Trump's immunity claim, instead choosing to focus on the timing, which he said tested "this court's credulity."

"This Court finds that Defendant had myriad opportunities to raise the claim of presidential immunity well before March 7, 2024," Merchan wrote.

The judge did draw a distinction between Trump's claim of presidential immunity in the New York case and in the federal election interference case, where Trump is arguing that he cannot be prosecuted for conduct that occurred while he was in office.

The U.S. Supreme Court will take up that argument at the end of the month.


In the hush money case, Merchan noted that Trump did not try to claim the alleged falsification of business records constituted an official act.

Trump last April pleaded not guilty to a 34-count indictment charging him with falsifying business records in connection with a hush money payment his then-attorney Michael Cohen made to Daniels just days before the 2016 presidential election.

Jury selection for the trial is scheduled to get underway April 15 in New York City. The former president has denied all wrongdoing.

Trump not immune from prosecution in criminal hush money case, judge rules

Former President Trump is not immune from prosecution in his New York hush money case, the judge in the case ruled Wednesday.

abcnews.go.com

Trump could be looking at a six-week trial that requires him to be in court right before the presidential election.

 

[Hans Blaster]

Trump could be looking at a six-week trial that requires him to be in court right before the presidential election.

Six weeks from April 15 is the end of May. The election is five months later, hardly "right before".

 

[essentialsaltes]

Six weeks from April 15 is the end of May. The election is five months later, hardly "right before".

He won't even officially be the nominee until the convention in July

 

[Handmaid for Jesus]

Six weeks from April 15 is the end of May. The election is five months later, hardly "right before".

Yeah, that will give people with principles time to get a good look at him.

 

[SavedByGrace3]

That is good. No President should be.
So now we sit back and wait for the deluge of criminal cases that will be filed against Biden.
They never learn.

 

[A2SG]

That is good. No President should be.
So now we sit back and wait for the deluge of criminal cases that will be filed against Biden.
They never learn.

If prosecutors have enough evidence to convince a grand jury to indict, I hope they do bring charges. No president is immune from criminal charges if there is evidence of criminal activity beyond the scope of their official duties.

Maybe they can use what the GOP has found in their impeachment investigations.

-- A2SG, maybe not....

 

[JustOneWay]

That is good. No President should be.
So now we sit back and wait for the deluge of criminal cases that will be filed against Biden.
They never learn.

This is not the case, although we have already seen the republicans try to go after Biden as retribution for Donald's legal entanglements. The key here is whether or not a President's actions in the White House are covered under the job description. Attempting a coup like Donald did does not fall under an official presidential act, and neither does adultery and paying off a lady of the night he had relations with before he became president. Biden is doing the job, whereas Donald abused his position of power. The reason that no other president has been in this predicament is because no president has crossed the line like Donald.

 

[The Barbarian]

That is good. No President should be.
So now we sit back and wait for the deluge of criminal cases that will be filed against Biden.
They never learn.

Republicans in the House have been "investigating" Biden for years. How's that going? BTW, if Biden did the same sort of criminal acts for which Trump has been repeatedly been indicted, by all means get him, too.

If...

 

[The Barbarian]

That is good. No President should be.
So now we sit back and wait for the deluge of criminal cases that will be filed against Biden.

I'm noticing that Comer and the republican "investigation" still can't come up with even one crime Biden committed in office. So I think you're going to be very disappointed, unless you know things that Comer doesn't. He and his cronies keep saying "just wait; we'll find something!"

They never learn.

Seems so.

 

[NxNW]

I'm noticing that Comer and the republican "investigation" still can't come up with even one crime Biden committed in office.

Other than obstruction of justice and election fraud?

 

[The Barbarian]

I'm noticing that Comer and the republican "investigation" still can't come up with even one crime Biden committed in office.

Other than obstruction of justice and election fraud?

If you have any evidence to support your imagination, you should get it to James Comer immediately. He's getting tired of democrats trolling him because he can't produce any evidence of Biden committing any crimes.

But you don't have any evidence, do you?

In fact, many people who were involved in the "election was stolen" hoax are now taking plea deals or going on trial for their part in that criminal conspiracy.

 

[NxNW]

I'm noticing that Comer and the republican "investigation" still can't come up with even one crime Biden committed in office.


If you have any evidence to support your imagination, you should get it to James Comer immediately. He's getting tired of democrats trolling him because he can't produce any evidence of Biden committing any crimes.

But you don't have any evidence, do you?

In fact, many people who were involved in the "election was stolen" hoax are now taking plea deals or going on trial for their part in that criminal conspiracy.

Apologies, I read that as Trump, not Biden.

 

[The Barbarian]

Ah, gotcha. No problem.

 

[The Barbarian]

So now we sit back and wait for the deluge of criminal cases that will be filed against Biden.

Maybe they can use what the GOP has found in their impeachment investigations.

Boss level burn, that.