President-elect Donald Trump’s request to dismiss Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s charges based on presidential immunity was rejected Monday by Judge Juan Merchan.
Merchan ruled the trial evidence related to Trump’s “unofficial conduct” and therefore is not protected under presidential immunity. “Even if certain evidence were deemed official acts, its use in this case does not threaten executive authority,” Merchan stated.
🚨 Judge Merchan denies Trump immunity, calling his conduct 'unofficial.' Overwhelming evidence or overwhelming bias?
I wish this judge didn’t have such a personal vendetta against Trump." 🇺🇸 ⬇️ https://t.co/LHCHnjkLlc
— Tony Lane 🇺🇸 (@TonyLaneNV) December 17, 2024
The charges, brought by Bragg’s office, allege falsification of business records tied to hush money payments. Trump has pleaded not guilty to all 34 felony counts, calling the case politically motivated.
Trump’s legal team argued the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent immunity decision applies to evidence introduced during the trial. Todd Blanche, Trump’s attorney, specifically challenged testimony from former White House staffers and other evidence tied to Trump’s presidential duties.
NEW: Juan Merchan denies Trump’s 3rd motion to recuse based on his daughter’s growing and thriving Dem consulting business.
Loren Merchan had banked at least $13 million this year, a haul that coincided with Daddy’s trial of Donald Trump: pic.twitter.com/7kU4FtZGUW
— Julie Kelly 🇺🇸 (@julie_kelly2) August 14, 2024
HOLY SH*T: In a new filing denying Trump's claims of immunity, Judge Juan Merchan calls Jack Smith's J6 case against Trump in DC the "FEDERAL INSURRECTION MATTER."
Can someone send this clown a copy of the indictment? pic.twitter.com/IZDs9SD4Bs
— Julie Kelly 🇺🇸 (@julie_kelly2) April 3, 2024
Trump spokesman Steven Cheung criticized the ruling, calling it a violation of Supreme Court precedent. “This case should never have been brought. President Trump must be allowed to continue the transition process without unlawful interference.”
Although Merchan rejected the dismissal request, Trump’s broader motion to toss the case entirely remains pending. With Bragg seeking to postpone proceedings until after Trump’s term, the legal battle is far from over.
