Donald Trump’s legal team intensifies its efforts to dismantle his hush money conviction while the prosecution proposes unprecedented measures to uphold the verdict even as he serves as sitting president.
At a Glance
- Trump’s attorneys push to overturn the hush money conviction, dismissing prosecution’s unusual proposals.
- The prosecution offers to delay sentencing until post-presidency or treat the case as if Trump had died.
- Trump’s legal representatives argue such measures are unconstitutional.
- Judge Juan M. Merchan’s decision on the case’s direction is pending.
Trump’s Legal Challenge
Trump’s lawyers are challenging the hush money conviction in Manhattan, urging Judge Juan M. Merchan to dismiss the charges. They argue the conviction disrupts his presidency and raises constitutional questions.
Reports indicate the prosecution proposed options such as postponing the trial until Trump leaves office or acknowledging the conviction without immediate sentencing.
Trump’s defense team labels these proposals as “absurd” and contrary to constitutional rights, emphasizing the necessity to overturn the conviction entirely.
President-elect Donald Trump’s lawyers urge judge to toss his hush money conviction | Click on the image to read the full story https://t.co/qwdaIVe3AW
— KMBC (@kmbc) December 3, 2024
Prosecution’s Strategy
The Manhattan district attorney’s office seeks to uphold Trump’s conviction through unconventional means. They argue to freeze the trial until Trump’s presidency concludes, suggesting that a conviction need not involve immediate sentencing.
“This lawless case should have never been brought, and the Constitution demands that it be immediately dismissed,” Cheung said in a statement.
The prosecution’s approach mirrors how some states handle cases when defendants die before appeals, focusing on maintaining the verdict without immediate jail time. Trump’s defense, however, strongly opposes this comparison, calling the suggestions “irresponsible.”
President-elect Donald Trump’s lawyers urge judge to toss his hush money conviction https://t.co/UT22zBJto2
— ActionNewsJax (@ActionNewsJax) December 3, 2024
Heading to a Judicial Decision
Judge Juan M. Merchan faces a monumental decision that could redefine legal precedent involving presidential immunity. Trump’s attorneys claim continued proceedings could unfairly burden a future president with legal liabilities.
“Pretend as if one of the assassination attempts against President Trump had been successful,” Mr. Trump’s lawyers wrote in a blistering 23-page response.
With sentencing delayed, Trump remains the first president to be elected after a criminal conviction. Judge Merchan could dismiss the case, side with the prosecution, or defer a final decision to a higher court.
Sources
1. DA suggests unusual idea for halting Trump’s hush money case while upholding his conviction
2. Trump’s lawyers rebuff DA’s idea for upholding his hush money conviction, calling it ‘absurd’
