© Michael M. Santiago/Pool via USA TODAY NETWORK
(New York, NY) — President-elect Donald Trump’s criminal convictions in New York will stand, for now, after the judge in the case rejected one of Trump’s demands to dismiss his case. State judge Juan Merchan, who presided over Trump’s 34-felony convictions for falsifying business records related to payoffs to porn star Stormy Daniels, ruled against the president-elect late Monday (Dec. 16, 2024).
Trump’s request for dismissal is based on the Supreme Court’s decision on presidential criminal immunity. Trump can, and likely will appeal. Trump has also asked for a dismissal connected to his election win, arguing the convictions would impede his ability to govern. Prosecutors want to keep them in place and delay sentencing until Trump is out of office. Judge Merchan could rule on that dismissal request as early as this week.