The judge upheld the guilty verdict against Trump in the New York case.

Judge Juan Merchan dismissed the argument made by Trump's lawyers, who insisted that the Supreme Court's ruling stating that a president cannot be prosecuted for actions taken within the scope of his official duties absolves Donald Trump from liability in this case. Prosecutors emphasized that the crimes attributed to Trump were committed prior to the presidential election.

As observers point out, Donald Trump has the option to appeal this judge's decision to a higher court, and he may also seek to overturn the jury's verdict by using different legal arguments.

The jury in New York found Donald Trump guilty in May of this year. He was accused of falsifying records to conceal a $130,000 payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, who threatened to disclose their intimate relationship, in exchange for her silence. However, the judge has postponed sentencing in this case twice. The prosecution urged the judge not to impose a sentence until Donald Trump's presidential term ends in 2029. However, analysts suggest that the judge may announce the sentence soon, opting not to subject the elected president to imprisonment.