Trump's Immunity Decision Looms: Judge to Rule on Overturning Conviction

A New York judge will soon decide whether to overturn Donald Trump's criminal conviction in light of a Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity. This decision could impact Trump's political future and potential return to the White House, as he faces multiple legal challenges.

A New York judge is poised to rule this week on whether President-elect Donald Trump's criminal conviction for hush money payments to a porn star should be overturned. The decision, set to be made by Justice Juan Merchan by Tuesday, comes in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling on presidential immunity.

This ruling is crucial as it coincides with Trump's recent election victory and impending inauguration on January 20. Merchan must also decide whether to move forward with Trump's sentencing on November 26 as planned. Legal analysts believe that if the judge rules in Trump's favor on immunity or delays the sentencing, it could smooth Trump's path back to the White House, unaffected by the four criminal cases looming over him.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Justice Department is evaluating the next steps for the two federal criminal cases against Trump, given its policy against prosecuting a sitting president. Trump's legal team is expected to seek a sentencing delay, especially after his conviction in May for falsifying business records, tied to a potential sex scandal before his 2016 presidential win. The jury's decision is under scrutiny, as Trump's defense argues the Supreme Court's recent ruling applies to official acts only, not personal conduct.

(With inputs from agencies.)