Former US president Donald Trump has filed a motion urging a New York state judge to dismiss a criminal case in which he was convicted in May on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to a hush money payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels, according to Reuters.
The motion, filed on Tuesday, comes on the heels of Trump’s recent election victory. His legal team argued that the continuation of the case would impede his ability to govern once he assumes office on January 20.
The former president’s lawyers, Todd Blanche and Emil Bove, have asked Justice Juan Merchan to overturn the guilty verdict and drop the charges.
They termed the case an unwarranted interference by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, asserting that local authorities had no justifiable reason to pursue such a disruptive prosecution.
Sentencing delayed
The motion was made public after Justice Merchan postponed Trump’s sentencing, initially scheduled for November 26, to allow his defense team time to present their arguments.
While prosecutors from Bragg’s office consented to the delay, they signaled their intention to oppose the dismissal. The court has yet to announce a ruling or reschedule the sentencing date.
Political motivations alleged
Trump’s legal team alleged that the prosecution was politically motivated, claiming coordination between Bragg’s office and the Biden administration. They also referenced President Joe Biden’s pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, labeling it an “extraordinary condemnation” of the Justice Department's conduct.
The case stems from a $130,000 payment made to Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign to silence claims of an alleged affair with Trump, which the former president denies. Trump was convicted of falsifying business records in connection with the payment, marking a historic first in US history — the conviction of a sitting or former president.
The hush money case is not Trump’s only legal challenge. He faces multiple investigations, including charges related to classified documents and alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election results.
The outcome of this case could have significant implications for Trump’s presidency and the broader political landscape, as his lawyers maintain that the charges are a distraction designed to undermine his administration.
