On Monday, Judge Juan Merchan rejected an attempt by former President Donald Trump’s legal team to have the charges brought against him by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg dismissed on the grounds of presidential immunity. This ruling follows a request made in July by Trump’s legal team to have the case overturned, referencing the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling that former presidents enjoy immunity for acts performed while in office.
In his decision, Merchan argued that the evidence presented in the case involved “entirely unofficial conduct,” and therefore, did not qualify for the immunity protections typically afforded to presidents carrying out official duties. He further stated that even if the evidence were related to Trump’s actions within his presidential authority, it would still be permissible because the alleged conduct—falsifying business records—was personal in nature and did not pose a threat to the functioning of the Executive Branch.
Despite rejecting Trump’s request to dismiss the charges, Merchan has not yet ruled on Trump’s broader motion to dismiss the entire case, which centers on allegations of hush money payments related to the 2016 election. In response to the ruling, Trump spokesman Steven Cheung condemned the decision, calling it a violation of constitutional protections for the presidency. Cheung emphasized that the case against Trump, which he described as part of a “witch hunt,” should never have been brought in the first place.
Trump’s legal team has argued that the charges are politically motivated, aimed at undermining the former president’s ability to prepare for the 2024 election and resume his duties as president. They contend that the case represents an abuse of the legal system designed to target a political opponent rather than uphold justice. According to Trump’s lawyers, the ongoing legal battles are obstructing Trump’s transition efforts and preparation for re-entering the White House, a position he won through a decisive mandate from the American people.
In a related motion, Trump’s attorneys had previously pointed to the Supreme Court’s immunity ruling, claiming that certain evidence, including testimonies from former White House staff, was improperly introduced in the trial. This case, they argue, is a product of politically motivated legal maneuvers designed to hurt Trump’s political prospects and disrupt his preparations for office.
As the legal proceedings continue, Trump’s legal team remains determined to have the charges dismissed, arguing that the case represents an attack on his political career and on the will of the American people, who chose him for a second term in office in November 2024. With this latest ruling, the fight over the charges against Trump is far from over, but his supporters are firm in their belief that these politically motivated attacks will ultimately be defeated.