Legal

Trump Cites Biden Pardon to Get NY Hush-Money Case Tossed

Manhattan DA Bragg’s office must file response by Dec. 9
Trump argues his reelection means case should be dismissed

Donald Trump during his hush money trial at Manhattan criminal court on May 3. — Donald Trump during his hush money trial at Manhattan criminal court on May 3.
Photographer: Jeenah Moon/Bloomberg

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By Patricia Hurtado and Erik Larson

December 3, 2024 at 10:21 PM UTC

Updated on

December 4, 2024 at 12:13 AM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

Donald Trump’s lawyers told a judge that his New York hush money conviction must be dismissed as a result of his election victory, arguing that the president-elect was unfairly targeted by prosecutors.

In a court filing, Trump’s lawyers cited President Joe Biden’s controversial decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, whose own criminal case his father claimed was politically tinged and excessive. Trump’s team argued that New York District Attorney Alvin Bragg has committed the same kind of selective prosecution that Biden complained about.