With less than six months remaining for the US Presidential elections, Presumptive Republican candidate Donald Trump’s lawyers are seeking to overturn his recent criminal conviction in Manhattan. Trump’s lawyers are citing a landmark Supreme Court ruling that grants him broad immunity from prosecution for official actions taken as president. This effort comes just ten days before he is set to be sentenced.
Trump’s legal team submitted a letter to Judge Juan M Merchan requesting permission to file a motion to set aside the verdict. The move follows the Supreme Court’s decision in another of Trump’s cases, which ruled that a president cannot be prosecuted for official acts and that such evidence cannot be used to support other accusations. The letter is expected to be made public on Tuesday, with prosecutors given a chance to respond.
Trump Convicted in 34 Felony Counts
Convicted on 34 felony counts related to covering up a sex scandal during the 2016 election, Trump faces up to four years in prison. His lawyers argue that some of the evidence used against him was from his time in the White House and should be excluded under the new ruling. However, the Manhattan case primarily involves actions Trump took as a candidate, not as president, making this a challenging legal argument.
The Manhattan District Attorney’s office, led by Alvin L Bragg, has not yet made a sentencing recommendation. Judge Merchan faces the unprecedented task of sentencing a former president, balancing the potential political ramifications with legal precedent. Trump could face jail time, home confinement, or probation. The judge could also postpone the sentence until after the 2024 election, where Trump is a leading candidate.
The Supreme Court ruling, which Trump hailed as a “big win,” complicates his other legal battles, particularly the case in Washington regarding his alleged attempt to overturn the 2020 election. President Joe Biden criticized the ruling, calling it a “dangerous precedent.”
Trump’s team has until July 11 to influence the sentencing decision, which could shape his political future. Meanwhile, the nation awaits Judge Merchan’s ruling, which will undoubtedly spark significant political and legal debate.