Former President Donald Trump faces another legal setback as a New York judge weighs in on his latest defense strategy.

According to Daily Mail, Judge Juan Merchan ruled Monday that Trump cannot claim presidential immunity in his New York hush-money case involving payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels.

The decision comes after Trump's legal team attempted to have the case dismissed following his November election victory and recent Supreme Court rulings on presidential immunity. Judge Merchan determined that the evidence presented in the case earlier this year was related to unofficial conduct and, therefore, not protected by presidential immunity claims.

Judge Merchan Explains Decisive Ruling Against Trump

In his 41-page decision, Judge Merchan provided detailed reasoning for rejecting Trump's immunity defense. The judge emphasized that even if any errors occurred regarding the challenged evidence, they would be considered harmless given the overwhelming evidence of guilt presented during the trial. His ruling specifically addressed the distinction between official presidential acts and private conduct.

Trump immediately responded to the decision on his social media platform Truth Social, expressing strong disagreement. The former president characterized the ruling as a "completely illegal, psychotic order" and described Judge Merchan as "corrupt and biased."

Manhattan prosecutors have recently modified their approach to the case, suggesting alternatives to imprisonment. This strategic shift aims to prevent the case from being completely dismissed while acknowledging the unprecedented situation of potentially imprisoning a president.

Prosecutors Present Alternative Sentencing Options

Last week's court filing by prosecutors revealed their willingness to explore various sentencing alternatives. The prosecution team offered suggestions ranging from unconditional discharge to using procedures typically reserved for cases where defendants have died.

These proposals demonstrate the prosecution's determination to maintain Trump's conviction while navigating the complex legal and political implications. The approach acknowledges the unique challenges posed by potentially incarcerating a president-elect.

Trump's legal team maintains their position that the case should be dismissed entirely to avoid interference with his ability to govern after taking office in January 2025.

Supreme Court Ruling Shapes Legal Strategy

The defense team's immunity argument stemmed from a significant Supreme Court decision in July. Chief Justice John Roberts, writing for the majority, outlined the limitations of presidential immunity:

The President enjoys no immunity for his unofficial acts, and not everything the President does is official. The President is not above the law.

This ruling emerged from Special Counsel Jack Smith's prosecution of Trump regarding alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. The Supreme Court's decision established crucial precedents about the scope of presidential immunity.

Criminal Conviction Details Surface

The case centers on Trump's conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records. These charges relate to a $130,000 payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 presidential election.

Prosecutors successfully argued that the payment was intended to keep Daniels quiet about an alleged extramarital affair. The conviction marked a significant moment in American legal history as the first criminal conviction of a former president.

The original sentencing was scheduled for November but was delayed following Trump's election victory, which allowed both legal teams to present arguments regarding presidential immunity.

Future Implications Emerge From Ruling

Recent developments in Trump's other legal challenges provide context for the significance of the hush money case. Special Counsel Jack Smith dropped two federal cases against Trump after the election, including charges related to government documents at Mar-a-Lago and the January 6 Capitol attack.

Judge Merchan has yet to set a new sentencing date following Monday's ruling. The decision creates a precedent for how similar cases involving presidential immunity claims might be handled in the future. The timing of these legal proceedings becomes increasingly critical as Trump prepares to take office in January 2025.

Critical Case Continues Amid Political Transition

Donald Trump's attempt to dismiss his hush-money case based on presidential immunity has been definitively rejected by Judge Juan Merchan in New York. The ruling addresses Trump's conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records related to payments made to Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election.

The case now moves forward with prosecutors offering alternative sentencing options to avoid imprisonment while maintaining the conviction's validity. This development occurred as Trump prepared to return to the presidency, creating an unprecedented situation in American legal and political history.