Former President Donald Trump, 78, is once again questioning the jurisdiction of the New York court handling his hush money case, just weeks before his sentencing is scheduled.
Seven Days Before Election
Trump's legal team has filed a request to transfer the case to a federal court and has asked the federal court to prevent New York Judge Juan Merchan from issuing the sentence, currently set for September 18, according to tag24.
This court date falls just seven weeks before the 2024 presidential election, where Trump is running as a Republican candidate. His lawyers have been employing various legal maneuvers to delay the trial, attempting to derail the case or remove the presiding judge. However, these efforts have largely been unsuccessful.
In this case, Trump was found guilty on 34 counts related to the illegal concealment of hush money payments made to a porn star during his 2016 presidential campaign. This conviction, reached by a jury in New York in May, marked the first time in U.S. history that a former president has been convicted of a crime.
Faces Probation or Prison Sentence
Trump's legal team is now arguing that a recent Supreme Court ruling, which grants sitting presidents immunity from prosecution for official actions, should influence the New York case.
However, much of the conduct in question occurred before Trump's presidency and does not appear to involve official presidential duties.
If the sentencing proceeds as planned, Trump could face a range of penalties, from probation to a potential prison sentence. The former president has indicated that he will appeal the conviction, continuing his legal battle as the 2024 election approaches.
