President-elect Donald Trump’s bid to dismiss charges brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg was denied by Judge Juan Merchan, who ruled on Monday that presidential immunity does not shield Trump from prosecution in this case.
Merchan argued that the evidence presented at trial was tied to Trump’s “unofficial conduct” and therefore does not qualify for immunity protections. “Even if some evidence involved official acts, its use to prove falsification of business records poses no threat to executive power,” Merchan wrote in his decision.
🚨 Judge Merchan denies Trump immunity, calling his conduct 'unofficial.' Overwhelming evidence or overwhelming bias?
I wish this judge didn’t have such a personal vendetta against Trump." 🇺🇸 ⬇️ https://t.co/LHCHnjkLlc
— Tony Lane 🇺🇸 (@TonyLaneNV) December 17, 2024
The ruling follows Trump’s legal team filing a motion earlier this year citing the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on presidential immunity. Trump’s attorney, Todd Blanche, specifically challenged the admission of testimony from former White House aides and other evidence related to Trump’s official actions.
Trump spokesman Steven Cheung slammed the ruling as a “violation” of the Supreme Court’s decision. “This lawless case should have never been brought,” Cheung stated. “The Constitution demands it be immediately dismissed so President Trump can focus on the vital duties of the presidency.”
NEW: Juan Merchan denies Trump’s 3rd motion to recuse based on his daughter’s growing and thriving Dem consulting business.
Loren Merchan had banked at least $13 million this year, a haul that coincided with Daddy’s trial of Donald Trump: pic.twitter.com/7kU4FtZGUW
— Julie Kelly 🇺🇸 (@julie_kelly2) August 14, 2024
HOLY SH*T: In a new filing denying Trump's claims of immunity, Judge Juan Merchan calls Jack Smith's J6 case against Trump in DC the "FEDERAL INSURRECTION MATTER."
Can someone send this clown a copy of the indictment? pic.twitter.com/IZDs9SD4Bs
— Julie Kelly 🇺🇸 (@julie_kelly2) April 3, 2024
Trump has maintained his innocence, calling Bragg’s prosecution politically motivated. The case centers on 34 felony charges of falsifying business records, with Trump pleading not guilty. Following his conviction earlier this year, Trump’s legal team argued that immunity protections should have barred much of the evidence used against him.
While Merchan has refused to dismiss the charges, a final decision on Trump’s broader motion to toss the case is still pending. Trump’s attorneys insist the case represents a misuse of the legal system that disrupts his transition into office.
Bragg’s office previously requested a delay in proceedings until the end of Trump’s second term, a suggestion Trump’s team called “ridiculous.” With both sides entrenched, the legal battle over Bragg’s prosecution appears set to continue well into Trump’s next presidency.
