UPDATE: In a significant legal breakthrough, the Second United States Appeals Court unanimously ruled today, granting Donald Trump another chance to challenge his felony convictions related to hush money payments in the Stormy Daniels case. This decision could pave the way for a potential dismissal of the charges against the former president.
The three-judge panel, all appointed by Democratic presidents, instructed federal judge Alvin Hellerstein to reassess whether he adequately considered Trump’s arguments for presidential immunity during the trial. This ruling comes as Trump faces 34 felony counts stemming from payments allegedly made to Daniels, which were funneled through Trump’s former attorney Michael Cohen.
Judge Hellerstein, who has previously ruled against Trump’s attempts to move the case to federal court, must now determine if the evidence presented during the state trial is relevant to official acts tied to the presidency. The Second Circuit Court emphasized that they do not imply a specific outcome for Hellerstein’s decision but are raising significant questions about the case’s direction.
“This ruling provides Trump with a crucial opportunity to argue for his defense based on presidential immunity,” said a legal expert familiar with the case. The implications of this decision are profound, as it could potentially alter the course of Trump’s ongoing legal battles.
The Manhattan District Attorney, Alvin Bragg, who is pursuing the case against Trump, won reelection on July 15, 2025. His office has maintained that the payments to Daniels were private actions unrelated to Trump’s official duties, a position Hellerstein previously supported. However, Trump’s legal team argues that the context of the payments—some allegedly made from the Oval Office—could change the narrative.
Trump’s legal strategy hinges on whether certain pieces of evidence, particularly testimony from former aide Hope Hicks, can be classified as official acts deserving of immunity. The outcome of this appeal could determine whether Trump faces continued legal jeopardy or sees his convictions dismissed.
In a separate case, Trump is also appealing his state court convictions, where he is invoking the same presidential immunity argument. Judge Juan Merchan, who has been at the center of Trump’s legal disputes, ruled that the immunity claim was irrelevant because it pertains to private acts. Trump argues that Merchan should have recused himself due to perceived bias, citing the judge’s political donations and connections.
The stakes are high, as the Southern District of New York is known for its politically diverse jury pool, which may favor defendants like Trump compared to the heavily Democratic jury pool in Manhattan. The implications of this ruling extend beyond Trump, as it raises questions about the boundaries of presidential immunity in legal matters.
In light of this new ruling, legal analysts are closely watching how Judge Hellerstein will approach the case moving forward. Will he seek additional evidence or hold a hearing to clarify these issues? The court’s next steps could significantly impact Trump’s future and the broader conversation about executive power and legal accountability.
Stay tuned as this story is developing. The ramifications of today’s ruling could reshape the political landscape as Trump continues to fight his legal battles. Keep an eye on updates as they unfold.
