Donald Trump’s legal team has swiftly moved to appeal his hush money conviction in New York, just hours after a significant Supreme Court ruling.
In a letter addressed to Judge Juan M. Merchan on Monday, Trump’s lawyers requested to set aside the verdict and postpone his sentencing, currently scheduled for next week.
The letter, obtained by The Associated Press, highlights the recent Supreme Court decision which affirmed the defense’s argument that certain evidence presented during the trial should have been excluded as it pertained to official presidential acts.
Trump’s defense team had previously contended that such evidence, including social media posts referencing Michael Cohen, his former lawyer, should be protected under presidential immunity.
While Trump’s legal strategy did not explicitly invoke immunity during the hush money case proceedings, his lawyers now contend that the Supreme Court’s ruling strengthens their position.
The Manhattan district attorney’s office has refrained from commenting on the matter as of Monday night.
Trump was convicted in New York on multiple counts of falsifying business records related to a payment intended to silence allegations just prior to the 2016 presidential election. His sentencing in this case is currently scheduled for July 11.
Judge Merchan, who implemented procedural measures to streamline court filings before the trial, is expected to review Trump’s latest appeal in due course.
