Trump's Bid to Move Hush Money Case Denied

A federal judge in Manhattan denied Trump's bid Friday to move his state criminal hush money case to federal court. It is the third time Judge Alvin Hellerstein has ruled against that effort.

• 34 counts of falsifying business records resulted in Trump's 2024 conviction.
• Hellerstein found Trump failed to show 'good cause and diligence' for the transfer.
• The Second Circuit had ordered Hellerstein to reconsider after the Supreme Court's 2024 immunity ruling.
• Trump received an unconditional discharge in January 2025 — no jail time, fines, or probation.

Why it matters: A federal transfer mattered because Trump argued a federal court would be more receptive to his immunity-based claim that evidence of his official acts was improperly used at trial.

• Trump also sought federal review of his argument that trial judge Juan Merchan should have been recused.

How 36 sources split on this story

Where they split: Coverage does not split on the facts; all outlets report the same ruling and the same quoted language from Hellerstein.

What’s next: Trump is expected to appeal Friday's ruling to the Second Circuit.

• His final brief in the parallel New York state appeal is due mid-September.
• Will the Second Circuit again vacate Hellerstein's ruling, or uphold it this time?
• How will the state appeals court rule on Trump's conviction once briefing concludes?