New York Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan has ruled President-elect Donald Trump’s presidential immunity protections do not apply for his conviction on 34-felony counts by a New York court earlier this year.
Last July, the Supreme Court ruled that Presidents have immunity from prosecution for official acts conducted while in office.
In a 6-3 decision, Chief Justice John Roberts explained presidents cannot be prosecuted for "official acts," leaving the door open for acts taken in a private manner.
President Trump’s lawyers had been arguing the evidence used to convict Trump for an alleged payment of $130,000 to adult-film star Stormy Daniels to influence the 2016 presidential contest was protected by presidential immunity.
Judge Merchan’s ruling asserted the contrary, that the evidence used constituted private actions.
Merchan stated “that the evidence related to the preserved claims relate entirely to unofficial conduct and thus, receive no immunity protections.”
Trump responded to the ruling scathingly, personally attacking Merchan and undermining his ruling.
“In a completely illegal, psychotic order, the deeply conflicted, corrupt, biased, and incompetent Acting Justice Juan Merchan has completely disrespected the United States Supreme Court, and its Historic Decision on Immunity,” said Trump. “Merchan, who is a radical partisan, wrote an opinion that is knowingly unlawful, goes against our Constitution, and, if allowed to stand, would be the end of the Presidency as we know it.”
The credibility of Merchan has been routinely questioned by conservatives.
According to a letter penned by US Senators Rick Scott (R-FL), Rand Paul (R-KY), and 27 others, Merchan previously donated to Democrat candidates.
Merchan reportedly donated to Democrat causes, including to Trump’s main political opponent, President Joe Biden.
In total, Merchan donated $35.
“This has to stop! It is time to end the Lawfare once and for all, so we can come together as one Nation and, Make America Great Again,” concluded Trump.
