The Manhattan district attorney's office has urged a judge to reject former President Donald Trump's latest attempt to move his hush money criminal case to federal court.
As reported by Blogging Big Blue, prosecutors argued that Trump's request should not halt ongoing proceedings as his sentencing date approaches.
State prosecutors recommended that Judge Juan Merchan disregard requests to delay the case due to Trump's removal bid. Instead, they suggested that the judge rule on the former president's outstanding motions regarding presidential immunity and the timing of his sentencing.
Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Matthew Colangelo cited federal law in arguing that court proceedings should continue despite the removal notice.
Trump's Second Attempt To Move Case
Trump filed for a second time last week to have his New York state criminal case transferred to federal court. The former president's legal team claimed that continuing with the state prosecution would cause him "direct and irreparable harm" in the upcoming 2024 presidential election, labeling the case as "purely political."
In a letter to Judge Merchan on Thursday, Trump's lawyers requested that he refrain from ruling on the presidential immunity motion. They argued that the judge "may not" proceed with Trump's scheduled September 18 sentencing while the removal case is ongoing.
The Manhattan district attorney's office pointed out that Trump's concerns about timing as the November election approaches are a result of his "own strategic and dilatory litigation tactics." They noted that the former president's second removal effort came nearly ten months after dropping his first unsuccessful attempt and three months after his conviction.
DA's Office Defers To Judge On Sentencing
Despite their opposition to Trump's removal bid, the Manhattan district attorney's office stated that they would defer to Judge Merchan regarding whether Trump's sentencing should proceed as scheduled. This position reaffirms their earlier stance on the matter.
The prosecutors emphasized that Trump's latest request should not impede the court's ability to rule on outstanding motions or move forward with sentencing. They urged the judge to consider the case's progress and the approaching election when making his decision.
It's worth noting that the district attorney's office has consistently maintained that the case should proceed in state court, where it was originally filed.
Background Of The Hush Money Case
Trump was convicted in May on 34 charges of falsifying business documents. These charges are connected to a hush money payment made by his former fixer, Michael Cohen, to a porn performer. The payment was allegedly made to conceal an affair with Trump before the 2016 presidential election.
Throughout the legal proceedings, Trump has consistently denied both the affair and any misconduct related to the payment. His legal team has argued that the case is politically motivated and should be handled in federal court due to its potential impact on the upcoming presidential election.
The case has drawn significant attention due to its potential implications for Trump's political future and its unprecedented nature as the first criminal prosecution of a former U.S. president.
Conclusion
The Manhattan district attorney's office opposes moving the hush money case to federal court. They argue that Trump's removal bid should not delay proceedings as sentencing approaches. Trump's lawyers claim the state prosecution could harm his 2024 presidential campaign. The DA's office says timing concerns stem from Trump's own legal tactics. They defer to the judge on whether to proceed with the scheduled September 18 sentencing. Trump was convicted in May on 34 charges related to hush money payments made before the 2016 election.
