Judge rules against Trump bid to throw out hush money conviction

A New York judge ruled Monday against a bid by US President-elect Donald Trump to have his conviction for covering up hush money payments to a porn star thrown out on immunity grounds.

Judge Juan Merchan said in the ruling that a Supreme Court decision granting presidents sweeping immunity for official acts did not apply as testimony at the trial related “entirely to unofficial conduct entitled to no immunity protections”.

“Defendant’s motion to dismiss the indictment and vacate the jury verdict... is denied.”

Monday’s ruling raises the prospect that Trump could become the first president to enter the White House with a felony conviction, pending his appeal against the jury’s verdict.

Trump has sought to have the case moved to federal court, which would give him the power to end the case himself as soon as he retook the presidency.

He has also challenged the conviction on a number of technical grounds, including alleging juror misconduct.