Judge Merchan to Rule on Trump’s Hush Money Conviction Amid Presidential Immunity Debate

New York Judge Juan M. Merchan is set to issue a crucial ruling on Tuesday that could significantly impact the criminal case against President-elect Donald Trump, who was convicted of 34 felony counts related to a “hush money” scheme involving adult film star Stormy Daniels.

The ruling will determine whether evidence presented at Trump’s trial should have been shielded from jurors due to presidential immunity, following a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that granted broad immunity to former presidents for official acts performed while in office. Trump’s lawyers have argued that certain evidence, including testimony from White House aides and Trump’s presidential financial disclosure form, should not have been allowed because it pertains to his official duties as president.

Prosecutors, however, contend that the Supreme Court’s ruling does not apply to the evidence in question, as it involves personal conduct rather than official acts. They argue that the disputed evidence was only a small part of the extensive proof presented to the jury.

Trump was convicted in May for falsifying business records to cover up a $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels, which was made by his former attorney Michael Cohen to buy her silence about an alleged sexual encounter with Trump. Trump denies any wrongdoing and has labeled the prosecution as a political tactic.

The judge’s decision could either lead to the dismissal of the charges, a new trial, or proceed with the scheduled sentencing on November 26. This ruling comes at a critical time, as Trump is set to take office again on January 20, and his legal team has been arguing that sentencing him would interfere with his role as commander-in-chief.