Donald Trump's legal maneuvers: Federal appeal amidst threats to New Jersey liquor licenses

President Donald Trump is actively pursuing legal avenues to overturn his New York state conviction related to a hush-money case, aiming to protect his business interests, including liquor licenses at his New Jersey golf clubs. Recently, his legal team filed a 40-page brief requesting that a federal appellate court in Manhattan assume control over his state appeal. They argue that the conviction involved actions protected by presidential immunity, making it eligible for federal jurisdiction.

This legal strategy is unconventional, as transferring a case from state to federal court typically occurs before a trial begins. Trump's attorneys contend that his prosecution meets the criteria for such a transfer, emphasizing the involvement of official federal acts. Their goal is to have the federal court overturn the state court's decision, thereby nullifying the conviction.

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New Jersey liquor licenses at risk

The conviction poses a significant threat to Trump's business operations, particularly concerning the liquor licenses at his New Jersey golf courses. State law mandates the revocation of liquor licenses held by individuals with felony convictions involving moral turpitude. Despite the licenses being in the name of Donald Trump Jr., the elder Trump is the primary financial beneficiary through the Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust.

Currently, the Trump National Golf Club in Colts Neck and the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster are operating under provisional liquor licenses. These temporary permits will remain in effect until the New Jersey Attorney General's Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control conducts revocation hearings to determine the future of these licenses. As of now, no dates have been set for these hearings.

Implications of the hush-money conviction

The hush-money case centers on allegations that Trump falsified business records to conceal a $130,000 payment to adult film actress, Stormy Daniels, during his first presidency. A Manhattan jury convicted Trump on 34 felony counts related to this matter. The conviction not only threatens his liquor licenses but also imposes other legal restrictions. While Trump retains his right to vote in Florida, he is prohibited from owning firearms and must provide a DNA sample for New York's crime database.

In response to the conviction, Trump's legal team previously sought to move the case to federal court before the trial, arguing that it involved important federal questions due to his presidential status at the time of the alleged offenses. However, U.S. District Judge, Alvin K. Hellerstein, rejected this request, stating that the charges didn't pertain to Trump's official presidential acts. The current appeal aims to challenge that decision, seeking federal intervention post-conviction.