Former president's lawyer Donald Trump has sought to challenge the former president's election meddling conviction at the New York trial, arguing that the evidence used to convict Trump now constitutes "official acts" that are protected by presidential immunity, the News reported. bg
In an interview with CNN, attorney Will Scharf also argued that Trump's attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 election qualifies as official action that would protect the former president from prosecution.< /p>
The CNN interview came hours after a Supreme Court ruling declared thatTrump was at least partially exonerated of crimes he committed while in office.
Chief Justice John Roberts ruled that presidents "cannot be prosecuted for exercising their basic constitutional powers", adding that Trump "is entitled to at least presumptive immunity from prosecution for their official actions".
Although he did not represent Trump at the New York trial, Scharf said he believed the Supreme Court decision should result in Trump's conviction being overturned.
"What we have in New York is a situation where a significant number of official acts of the presidency -- things that we consider official acts -- have been used as evidence to support the charges in this trial in New York,'' said A scarf. "We think it taints this process."
"At the very least, we deserve a new trial where these actions fall under presidential immunity and will not be used as evidence," he said.
Trump's legal team has reportedly sent a letter to Judge Juan Murchan requesting a challenge that could delay Trump's sentencing in the case. A sentencing date is currently set for July 11, four days before the start of the Republican National Convention.