New York Judge Rules Against Trump's Bid to Throw Out Hush Money Conviction

Donald Trump has been convicted of fraud by a New York jury and was recently ruled against in his bid to have the conviction thrown out. Judge Juan Merchan denied Trump's motion to dismiss the indictment and vacate the jury verdict, stating that the defendant's motion was denied. Trump's lawyers had argued that the case should be moved to federal court, but Merchan rejected this argument. Trump also challenged the conviction on several technical grounds, but Merchan's decision focused on the question of presidential immunity. The judge ruled that the Supreme Court's ruling on presidential immunity did not apply in this case, as the testimony at the trial related to unofficial conduct entitled to no immunity protections. This ruling raises the prospect that Trump could enter the White House with a felony conviction.