Judge Rejects Trump's Request to Postpone NY Hush Money Trial Pending Supreme Court Decision on Presidential Immunity

The judge overseeing the criminal trial of former President Donald Trump in New York has rejected his request to postpone the trial until after the Supreme Court rules on his claim of presidential immunity. Judge Juan Merchan dismissed the motion on Wednesday, stating that it was filed too late and pointing out that Trump's legal team had ample time to address the issue.

The court order states that the defendant had many chances to bring up the issue of presidential immunity before March 7, 2024. In fact, the defendant had already discussed the same issue in federal court and knew that the prosecution planned to present important evidence during the trial. When considering all these factors together, the court finds it hard to believe the defendant's claims.

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump takes to the stage before speaking on April 2 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump takes to the stage before speaking on April 2 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Mike Roemer/AP

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Trump is trying everything he can to delay this month’s hush money criminal trial

The criminal trial involving hush money payments made during the 2016 presidential campaign to adult film star Stormy Daniels will commence with jury selection on April 15. Trump has denied all charges brought against him.

In a prior ruling, Merchan stated that Trump's legal team can raise objections during the trial if prosecutors present evidence they believe is linked to presidential actions. However, this matter was not elaborated upon in the latest ruling issued on Wednesday.

The court order states that it will not discuss whether the doctrine of presidential immunity stops evidence of official presidential acts from being used in a criminal case.

When Trump submitted the motion on March 7, the trial was scheduled to start on March 25. However, a week later, the trial was postponed until mid-April due to a large number of documents provided by federal prosecutors.

This story has been updated with additional information.

Editor's P/S:

The ongoing criminal trial against former President Donald Trump for hush money payments during the 2016 election highlights the legal complexities surrounding presidential immunity. While Trump's attorneys argue that his actions as president should not be subject to criminal prosecution, the court has rejected his request to delay the trial until the Supreme Court rules on this issue. This decision reinforces the principle that no one is above the law, even former presidents.

However, the court's ruling also leaves open the possibility that Trump's legal team can still raise objections during the trial if prosecutors present evidence related to his presidential actions. This suggests that the issue of presidential immunity will continue to be debated throughout the proceedings. The outcome of the trial could have significant implications for the precedent it sets regarding the scope of executive privilege and the accountability of former presidents.