Judge rules against Trump bid to throw out hush money conviction

NEW YORK – 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…