Request from Trump's legal team to transfer the appeal of the New York hush money conviction to a federal court.
"Let's talk about Trump's latest legal shenanigans, y'all!"
Donald Trump's legal team has thrown another curveball in the hush money case, aiming to shift the appeal from state to federal court. Here's the lowdown on the controversial move.
A little over a year ago, Trump became the first former president ever to bag a felony conviction. Now, he's challenging the verdict, aiming to have it heard in a federal court instead of the state one. On Wednesday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit heard arguments from both sides.
According to Trump's attorney, Jeffrey Wall, a former acting solicitor general, the "federal officer" should have the right to a "federal forum". Wall argues that if this principle holds true for "normal" federal officers in criminal prosecutions, it should definitely apply to ex- presidents, especially in "anomalous" cases like Trump's.
But Manhattan's district attorney's office thinks otherwise. Attorney Steven Wu argued that Trump should've made this request earlier, stating that removal is no longer an option after sentencing. Wu also pointed out that the purpose of removal is to determine where the trial takes place, not to shift the appeal to federal courts.
Wall fired back, stating that the time limit for removal doesn't apply if Trump can show sufficient cause.
The judges haven't made their decision yet, but if they grant Trump's request, the venue for the appeal would change, not the conviction itself. Trump's team could still ultimately take it up with the Supreme Court.
But here's the twist: Trump could've self-pardoned for federal offenses in the past. However, Bennett Gershman, a professor at Pace University Law School, says that doesn't get Trump out of trouble this time around, as it's still a state crime. The question of self-pardoning has never been addressed, but it's still an open debate in legal circles.
So, buckle up, folks! This is looking like another wild ride in the Trump legal drama. Stay tuned for more updates!
Trump's legal team is seeking to shift the hush money case from state to federal court, with Jeffrey Wall, Trump's attorney, arguing that a former president should have the right to a federal forum, citing the "anomalous" nature of Trump's case. However, Manhattan's district attorney's office has contended that Trump should have made this request earlier and that removal is no longer an option after sentencing. If the judges rule in Trump's favor, his team could still ultimately take the case to the Supreme Court, but the self-pardoning Trump used for potential federal offenses in the past would not apply to the state crime he is currently facing.
