Judge Denies Trump's Request to Move Hush Money Case

A New York judge has denied former President Trump's request to move his hush money criminal case to federal court, citing a recent Supreme Court decision on presidential immunity.

Judge Hellerstein stated that the Supreme Court's ruling did not change his view that private payments to an adult film star are not related to a president's official acts. He previously ruled that Trump's reimbursement to Michael Cohen for hush money payments to Stormy Daniels were not official acts made as president.

Trump faces 34 counts of falsifying business records to conceal the payments. Prosecutors said the payout was part of an effort to keep voters from hearing salacious stories about him during his first presidential campaign.

Trump has denied the allegations and has cast his prosecution as a political witch hunt. He has also accused the presiding judge of having a conflict of interest.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has said that Trump's request to move his case to federal court should wait until after the judge rules on the motion to vacate because of presidential immunity and the request to delay sentencing.

Merchan is expected to rule on the motion on Sept. 16.