A U.S. federal judge has denied President Trump’s latest move to transfer the hush money case to a federal court on Friday, August 28, 2026.
Federal Judge Alvin Hellerstein ruled that “The grounds for a second removal cited by Defendant, Donald J. Trump, are neither new nor legally sufficient.”
A federal appeals court had ordered Hellerstein to review Trump’s request to move the case from state to federal court after the U.S. Supreme Court’s historic immunity opinion.
“I reaffirm my former decision. The president’s motion is denied,” Judge Hellerstein concluded.
Trump was convicted of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records linked to a $130,000 hush payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, born Stephanie Clifford.
Trump was convicted of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to a $130,000 hush payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, whose legal name is Stephanie Clifford.
Trump disagreed with the verdict and took his case to a higher court to get the decision overturned.
Trump argues the Supreme Court’s 2024 immunity ruling, shielding “official acts,” disqualifies some evidence and testimony from the prosecution.
Trump’s lawyers said they are planning to appeal the decision.
