Key takeaways:
- Judge Alvin Hellerstein expressed skepticism towards Trump’s efforts to move his New York State “hush money” criminal case to federal jurisdiction.
- Hellerstein indicated that he was likely to rule against Trump’s bid to relocate the criminal case to a federal courthouse.
- Lawyers for Trump and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg argued that the reimbursements to Trump’s former attorney were made as official acts tied to Trump’s presidency, but Hellerstein seemed unconvinced.
A federal judge in New York City has expressed skepticism towards former President Donald Trump’s efforts to move his New York State “hush money” criminal case to federal jurisdiction. Trump’s lawyers argued that the case should be moved to federal court because the payments were made while Trump was president.
At a hearing on Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein indicated that he was likely to rule against Trump’s bid to relocate the criminal case to a federal courthouse. Hellerstein repeatedly expressed skepticism of the argument put forth by Trump’s attorney, that the 2017 hush-money-related claims he was indicted on this year were connected to his role as president.
“It is very clear that the act for which the president has been indicted does not relate to anything under the color of his office,” Hellerstein told attorneys for Trump and the Manhattan district attorney’s office.
Lawyers for Trump and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg argued during the hearing that the reimbursements to Trump’s former attorney, Michael Cohen, were made as official acts tied to Trump’s presidency. However, Hellerstein seemed unconvinced by the argument.
The hearing lasted about 2½ hours, and Hellerstein has yet to issue a ruling on the matter. If the case is not moved to federal court, it will remain in the New York State court, where Bragg’s prosecutors typically work. It is unclear when Hellerstein will issue a ruling on the matter.
Be First to Comment