Donald Trump’s legal team has urged a New York judge to dismiss his conviction for falsifying business records, arguing that his recent presidential election victory renders any sentencing a threat to government stability. The push for dismissal follows Trump’s victory over Vice President Kamala Harris in the November 5 election, positioning him to return to the White House in January.
The case stems from Trump’s conviction in May for covering up a $130,000 payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election. Trump denies Daniels’ claims of an affair and has consistently framed the charges as a politically motivated attempt to derail his campaign. The Manhattan District Attorney’s office has indicated its intent to oppose the dismissal.
In a letter to New York State Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan, Trump’s lawyers argued that the case should be paused until the conclusion of his presidential term or dismissed outright. They compared his status as president-elect to that of a sitting president, asserting immunity from criminal proceedings.
“Continuing this case would be uniquely destabilizing, jeopardizing the functionality of the federal government,” the letter stated.
The Manhattan DA’s office had previously requested to halt proceedings, with Justice Merchan agreeing to delay Trump’s sentencing, originally set for November 26. Trump, the first U.S. president to face a criminal conviction, remains under scrutiny in three other cases involving classified documents, alleged election interference, and efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
While Trump’s lawyers argue that sentencing would impede his ability to govern, the DA’s office has not endorsed dismissing the case outright. Legal experts predict the situation could test the boundaries of executive authority and criminal accountability in unprecedented ways.
Trump’s legal challenges continue to loom as he prepares to return to office, fueling debates about the intersection of law, politics, and presidential immunity.
