Federal Appeals Court Hears Trump Hush Money Conviction Appeal

President Donald Trump is pursuing an appeal to move his Manhattan hush money conviction from state court to federal court, arguing that his actions related to the case involved official presidential acts and thus fall under presidential immunity. Trump was convicted in 2024 on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to conceal a payment to Stormy Daniels, which prosecutors say was intended to influence the 2016 election. His legal team contends that evidence, including testimony from former White House Communications Director Hope Hicks about Oval Office discussions, should be excluded as it pertains to protected presidential conduct. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is currently hearing arguments on this matter, with Trump's lawyers urging the court to assert federal jurisdiction over the unprecedented prosecution of a sitting president. The Manhattan District Attorney's office opposes the move, favoring the case's continuation in state court, while the Justice Department, partly staffed by Trump's former defense lawyers, supports Trump's position. If the appeals court denies the request, Trump may seek review from the U.S. Supreme Court.