A federal judge on Aug. 28 denied President Donald Trump’s bid to transfer his New York falsified business records case to federal court.
“The grounds for a second removal cited by … Trump, are neither new nor legally sufficient. He has failed to show good cause and diligence,” U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein said in a written opinion.
A Manhattan jury found Trump guilty in May 2024 of falsifying business records. A New York state judge sentenced him in January 2025, imposing an unconditional discharge. This means he was not given jail time, a fine, or probation.
Under federal law, cases filed in state court can be removed, or transferred, to a federal district court. A defendant files a notice of removal in federal court, which has the effect of transferring the case to federal court on a provisional basis. After the defendant notifies the state court, a hearing follows in federal court, and if removal is denied, the case is remanded back to state court….