A federal judge in Manhattan again rejected an effort by President Donald Trump to transfer his New York state criminal case to federal court, ruling that presidential immunity does not cover cover-up payments made to an adult film actor.
Federal Court Refuses to Reopen State Conviction
U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein issued a decision denying Trump’s request to take jurisdiction over the completed state court proceedings, according to CBS News. The judge ruled that the arguments presented by the defense were neither new nor legally sufficient to overturn the existing state judgment.
Trump’s legal team sought to move the case following a July 2024 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that established broad immunity for presidents regarding official acts. However, Judge Hellerstein emphasized that private conduct falls outside the scope of executive privilege. In his ruling, the judge stated, “paying hush money to an adult film star or engaging in a cover-up of an embarrassment are not subsumed in presidential immunity,” as reported by CNBC.
What was the outcome of the original trial?
In May 2024, a New York state jury convicted Trump on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. The charges stemmed from a $130,000 payment made to adult film performer Stormy Daniels prior to the 2016 presidential election to secure her silence regarding an alleged affair, which Trump has consistently denied.
Following the trial, Trump received a sentence of unconditional discharge in January 2025, right before taking office for his second term. This resolution involved no prison time, probation, or financial penalties, according to CBS News reporting. Nevertheless, the verdict marked the first criminal conviction of a former or sitting U.S. president in American history.
Why did the court deny the immunity claim?
Defense attorneys argued that evidence used during the state trial, including testimony from White House aides, impermissibly touched upon official duties. They claimed this violated the constitutional protections outlined by the U.S. Supreme Court’s high-profile decision on executive authority.
Judge Hellerstein rejected that view, noting that Trump waited too long after his conviction to file the request, according to CNBC. The judge also criticized the tactic of switching forums after an unfavorable outcome, writing that a defendant “cannot play one court against another” to obtain a different result after a trial has concluded.
What are the next legal steps for the defense?
Immediately following the ruling, Trump’s attorneys notified the court of their intent to challenge the decision at the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, according to CBS News. A spokesperson for the legal team characterized the federal judge’s determination as baseless in a public statement provided to The Associated Press.
Parallel to the federal litigation, Trump continues to pursue a separate appeal within the New York state court system to vacate the 34 felony counts. The state-level appellate process remains pending, while Manhattan prosecutors have not issued an immediate response regarding the latest federal ruling.
What other legal challenges does Trump face?
This decision adds to a series of civil and regulatory rulings involving Trump. According to CNBC, a separate federal court in Manhattan ordered the release of approximately $5.8 million in July 2025 to satisfy a defamation and sexual abuse judgment awarded to writer E. Jean Carroll. Additionally, an appellate panel previously upheld another civil defamation verdict totaling $83.3 million in Carroll’s favor.
For official information regarding court dockets, public filings, and calendar updates for the Southern District of New York, readers can visit the official site of the U.S. District Court at nysd.uscourts.gov.
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