Trump’s Explosive Appeal: Sullivan & Cromwell Slams ‘Fatally Marred’ Hush Money Conviction Citing Immunity Win
President Donald Trump’s legal team has fired a 96-page salvo at his New York felony conviction, branding the trial “fatally marred” and demanding its total erasure in a bold appeal filed Monday. This Trump appeal in the hush money case, presidential immunity clash, and Sullivan Cromwell filing thrust the criminal conviction back into national spotlight, invoking the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling to challenge evidence admissibility.
Sullivan & Cromwell, the elite Wall Street firm that assumed Trump’s defense in early 2025, submitted the brief to New York’s Appellate Division, First Judicial Department. The appeal targets the May 2024 jury verdict on 34 counts of falsifying business records, tied to reimbursements for a $130,000 hush payment to Stormy Daniels orchestrated by ex-lawyer Michael Cohen to bury affair claims before the 2016 election. Prosecutors under DA Alvin Bragg elevated misdemeanors to felonies, alleging intent to conceal another crime.
Attorneys outline five pivotal flaws: federal election law preempts state charges, rendering Bragg’s theory invalid; trial evidence improperly drew on Trump’s “official acts” as president, forbidden post the Supreme Court’s July 2024 Trump v. United States decision granting broad immunity; jury instructions muddled “unlawful means”; proof of fraudulent intent fell short; and Judge Juan Merchan should’ve recused over his Democratic donations.
“This isn’t just an appeal—it’s a direct assault on prosecutorial overreach,” says Fordham Law’s Jed Shugerman, who critiques the original indictment’s novelty but notes immunity arguments could sway if escalated federally. Reactions polarize: Trump supporters on X decry a “rigged witch hunt,” while opponents like Rep. Dan Goldman label it “frivolous delay tactics.” A fresh Monmouth poll reveals 48% of independents now question the verdict’s fairness amid post-election scrutiny.
U.S. readers feel the political tremors acutely. With Trump back in the White House, overturning this criminal conviction could neutralize felony branding for policy pushes, from trade deals to judicial picks, stabilizing markets jittery over leadership taint—Wall Street indexes dipped 0.5% on filing news. Lifestyle ripples hit everyday voters: eroded faith in courts might fuel midterm volatility in 2026, where battlegrounds like Michigan hinge on rule-of-law narratives, while tech and media sectors eye stricter campaign finance scrutiny.
The appellate timeline stretches months, with oral arguments possibly by mid-2026, but Trump’s parallel federal immunity bid could fast-track Supreme Court review. Bragg’s office pledges a fierce rebuttal, defending the jury’s evidence-based call. If victorious, Trump sheds felon status; defeat prolongs appeals. This Trump appeal in the hush money case, presidential immunity showdown, Sullivan Cromwell strategy, and criminal conviction fight test judicial boundaries, mirroring America’s divided pulse on power and precedent.
By Sam Michael
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