What's happened
Donald Trump's lawyers have filed claims of juror misconduct in his New York hush-money trial, seeking to overturn his conviction. The judge has rejected previous arguments for dismissal based on presidential immunity, while prosecutors maintain the conviction should stand despite Trump's election victory.
What's behind the headline?
Legal Maneuvers
- Trump's legal team is attempting to undermine the jury's credibility, claiming misconduct that they argue compromised the trial's fairness.
- The judge, Juan Merchan, has indicated that without sworn statements, these claims are based on hearsay and cannot be considered.
Implications of Presidential Immunity
- Trump's arguments for dismissal based on presidential immunity have been consistently rejected, as the judge ruled that the charges relate to personal conduct, not official duties.
- The Supreme Court's ruling on presidential immunity does not shield Trump from prosecution for actions taken before his presidency.
Future of the Conviction
- The ongoing legal battles may delay Trump's sentencing, which has already been postponed multiple times.
- If the conviction is upheld, Trump would enter the White House as a convicted felon, a historic first for a U.S. president.
What the papers say
According to The Guardian, Trump's lawyers claim to have evidence of 'grave juror misconduct' that they argue undermines the fairness of the trial. However, the details of these allegations remain heavily redacted, raising questions about their validity. The New York Times notes that the judge has dismissed these claims as 'admittedly contested' and based on hearsay. Meanwhile, prosecutors argue that Trump's attempts to dismiss the case are unfounded, emphasizing that the evidence against him is overwhelming. As reported by Business Insider, the judge has also rejected Trump's claims of presidential-elect immunity, stating that such immunity does not exist prior to inauguration. This ongoing legal saga highlights the complexities of Trump's situation as he prepares to assume office again.
How we got here
In May 2023, a jury convicted Trump on 34 counts of falsifying business records related to hush-money payments made to Stormy Daniels during the 2016 election. Trump's legal team has since attempted to dismiss the case, citing claims of presidential immunity and now, alleged juror misconduct.
Go deeper
- What are the implications of Trump's conviction?
- How might this affect his presidency?
- What are the next steps in the legal process?
Common question
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
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The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the federal judiciary of the United States of America. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all federal and state court cases that involve a point of federal law, and original jurisdict
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Juan Manuel Merchan is an American judge and former prosecutor currently serving as an acting justice of the New York State Supreme Court in New York County. He is the judge for the 2024 criminal trial of former US president, Donald Trump.
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Alvin Leonard Bragg Jr. is an American lawyer and politician from the state of New York who previously served as Chief Deputy Attorney General in New York State Office of Attorney General.
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Stephanie Clifford, known as Stormy Daniels, is an American pornographic actress, stripper, writer and director. She has won numerous industry awards, and is a member of the NightMoves, AVN and XRCO Halls of Fame.
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