A New York judge denied this Wednesday (3) Donald Trump’s attempt to postpone his trial, scheduled to begin on April 15, on charges related to paying a porn star for silence, until the Supreme Court analyzes his claim of presidential immunity in another criminal case.
As a result, the hearing for Supreme Court judges to hear arguments from the former American president’s lawyers that he would be immune from federal prosecution will take place on April 25. Among the cases is Trump’s attempt to reverse the result of the 2020 election, in which he lost to Joe Biden.
In March, the Republican’s defense asked Judge Juan Merchan to postpone the trial until the Supreme Court’s opinion was completed, arguing that this is relevant because prosecutors intend to present evidence of statements made by Trump when he was president, between 2017 and 2021.
In a court ruling this Wednesday, Merchan said Trump took too long to raise the issue.
“Defendant had a series of opportunities to advance the claim of presidential immunity well before March 7, 2024,” Merchan wrote.
Todd Blanche, a lawyer for Trump, declined to comment.
Trump, the Republican candidate who will challenge Biden in the Nov. 5 election, has pleaded not guilty to all four of his criminal indictments.
The New York case may be the only one to go to trial before the election.
He is accused of having falsified business records to cover up the $130,000 payment made by his former lawyer Michael Cohen to porn star Stormy Daniels for her silence before the 2016 election over a sexual encounter she claims she had with Trump. in 2006.
The Republican denies having had such a meeting with Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford.
Trump is also seeking a delay, arguing that a flood of news about the case has led potential jurors to believe he is already guilty. Merchan has not yet decided on this request.
