Trump Appeals Manhattan 'Hush Money' Conviction, Citing Immunity and Political Bias
President Trump's legal team appeals his Manhattan 'hush money' conviction, citing presidential immunity, political motivation, and alleged trial flaws in the Stormy Daniels payment case.
Overview
- President Trump's legal team has filed appeals to overturn his May 2024 criminal conviction in the Manhattan 'hush money' case, where he was found guilty on 34 felony counts.
- The appeal challenges the guilty verdict, specifically addressing efforts to cover up payments to Stormy Daniels and the alleged improper marking of these payments as legal expenses.
- A key argument in the appeal cites the Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity, contending that the trial court improperly considered evidence protected by this immunity.
- Trump's lawyers assert the prosecution by Democratic Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg was politically motivated, alleging "fatal flaws" and significant political bias throughout the trial proceedings.
- Despite receiving an unconditional discharge in January, which allowed him to avoid jail time, fines, and probation, Trump continues his appeal to clear his name.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources cover the story neutrally by meticulously detailing the arguments presented in Donald Trump's appeal while also providing essential counterpoints and factual context. They avoid adopting the appeal's strong language as their own, instead attributing it clearly to Trump's legal team, ensuring a comprehensive overview of the legal development.
"The appeal is part of a multi-pronged effort by Mr. Trump to attempt to overturn the conviction on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records."
CBS News"The appeal seeks to have the entire case thrown out, arguing in part that the jury was presented evidence it should not have heard related to Trump's official duties in his first term."
NBC News"Trump's lawyers seized on that last portion of the high court's ruling, arguing that even though his conviction focused on his personal business' records tied to conduct before his first presidency, the jury scrutinized evidence of official presidential acts in order to reach its guilty verdicts."
USA TODAY"Trump’s lawyers have asked a New York state appeals court to toss out his hush money criminal conviction, saying federal law preempts state law and there was no intent to commit a crime."
Fortune"Trump's formal appeal, 17 months after a Manhattan jury found him guilty of 34 felony counts, asks the Appellate Division's First Department to reverse what his lawyers call the "most politically charged prosecution in our Nation's history.""
ABC News"Trump’s lawyers wrote that the prosecution of Trump was “the most politically charged prosecution in our Nation’s history.”"
Associated PressArticles (13)
Center (6)
FAQ
President Trump was convicted on 34 felony counts related to efforts to cover up payments to Stormy Daniels by improperly marking the payments as legal expenses.
They argue that the trial court improperly considered evidence protected by presidential immunity, citing a recent Supreme Court ruling that shields certain actions of a sitting president from legal prosecution.
Trump's lawyers claim the prosecution by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg was politically motivated, highlighting alleged fatal flaws and significant political bias throughout the trial proceedings.
After his conviction, President Trump received an unconditional discharge in January, avoiding jail time, fines, and probation. The appeal aims to overturn the conviction and fully clear his name.
The appeal challenges the guilty verdict by focusing on the improper classification of payments to Stormy Daniels as legal expenses meant to cover up the transaction, which Trump's legal team contests.
History
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