Hush money judge 'unimpressed' by Trump's presidential immunity delay argument: analysis

Newly revealed court filings in former President Donald Trump's criminal hush money case show the judge appears "unimpressed" by his demand for a delay, a new analysis shows.

Law360 Frank Runyeon shared on X Monday night a court filing from Judge Juan Merchan in response to Trump's demand that Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's criminal case be postponed until the Supreme Court rules on his presidential immunity argument in the federal election interference case.

"Justice Merchan unimpressed with Trump’s late-breaking presidential immunity motion to delay the March 25 hush money trial," wrote Runyeon.

In his letter, dated March 8, Merchan notes the deadline for motions in limine — or those seeking to ban specific evidence or arguments from being presented in court — had passed on Feb. 22.

"Defendant does not explain the reason for the late filing," Merchan writes, "a mere two and a half weeks before jury selection is set to begin."

He gives Bragg's office until March 13 to respond.

Merchan then demands both sides ask permission before filing any more pretrial motions and those requests be no longer than a single page.

"Judge doesn’t rule," Runyeon noted, "but says they’ll have to ask for permission before firing off a motion like this again, pumping the brakes on a flurry of filings."

This is the first of four criminal court cases Trump is slated to face in the year ahead.

Trump stands accused of falsifying business records to pay hush money to adult film star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 presidential election. He pleaded not guilty.