US Justice Department Okay Trump’s Bid to Move Hush Money Case to Federal Court

The U.S. Justice Department has backed former President Donald Trump’s effort to transfer his hush money criminal case to federal court, marking the second time in a week the department has intervened in his legal matters.

Trump was convicted last year on charges brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, accusing him of covering up a payment to a porn star to silence allegations of a past affair—claims he has denied. Although sentenced to unconditional discharge on January 10, meaning no jail time or penalties, he continues to appeal the conviction.

Despite the verdict, Trump is pushing to have the case moved to federal court, where he could argue for dismissal on the grounds that jurors considered evidence from his time as president. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled last July that American presidents have broad immunity from prosecution over official acts, a precedent Trump hopes to leverage.

The Justice Department has now urged the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn a lower court ruling that kept the case in state court, arguing that federal law ensures presidents have a federal forum to assert their defense. While not directly involved in the case, the department emphasized the need to protect federal officials from legal risks arising from state laws.

“The State will remain free, of course, to argue in federal court that any evidentiary use of President Trump’s official acts was somehow acceptable,” Justice Department lawyers stated, underscoring the former president’s right to a federal defense.