Trump's attorneys seek to set aside hush money convictions post Supreme Court ruling

In a recent development, former President Donald Trump's legal team has requested the judge overseeing his hush money case to dismiss his 34 convictions and postpone his sentencing. This request follows a Supreme Court ruling granting former presidents immunity from prosecution for official actions taken while in office. Trump's lawyers argue that evidence related to his official acts as president should have been excluded from the trial, citing the recent Supreme Court decision. The convictions stem from charges of falsifying business records in an attempt to cover up a hush money payment made just before the 2016 presidential election. Trump's attorneys are seeking to set aside the guilty verdict and delay the sentencing, scheduled for July 11, based on the new legal precedent established by the Supreme Court. The defense contends that certain evidence presented in the trial, including social media posts about his former lawyer Michael Cohen, should have been protected under presidential immunity. The legal maneuver comes amidst ongoing legal battles faced by Trump, including a civil fraud judgment and a federal defamation trial. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is expected to submit his sentencing recommendation to Judge Juan Merchan, with potential arguments for prison time based on Trump's behavior during the trial. Despite the convictions and impending sentencing, experts believe that Trump is unlikely to serve any prison time before the upcoming November election. The former president has consistently maintained his innocence and denied any wrongdoing in connection with the hush money case and other legal challenges he faces. The legal proceedings surrounding Trump's hush money case highlight the complex interplay between presidential immunity, criminal charges, and legal strategies employed by his defense team. As the case unfolds, the implications of the Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity continue to shape the legal landscape for former presidents facing criminal prosecution for actions taken during their time in office. The upcoming sentencing hearing on July 11 will be a pivotal moment in determining the consequences for Trump's convictions and the potential impact on his future legal battles.