Federal Judge Rejects Trump's Bid to Erase Hush-Money Conviction

A federal judge on Friday, August 29, 2026, rejected former President Donald Trump's attempt to move his New York hush-money conviction case to federal court and have it dismissed on presidential immunity grounds. Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein reiterated his earlier finding against Trump, stating that the arguments were “neither new nor legally sufficient” and that paying hush money or covering up an affair are not considered “official acts” of the presidency. Trump's legal team announced they would appeal the decision.