Judge hints he’ll nix Trump’s bid to have Bragg ‘hush money’ case heard in fed court

A New York federal judge hinted Tuesday that he’ll turn down former President Donald Trump’s bid to have Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s “hush money” case against him heard in federal court.

“There is no reason to believe that an equal measure of justice couldn’t be rendered by the state court,” Manhattan federal Judge Alvin Hellerstein said following over two hours of oral arguments.

The 45th president was not in court for the hearing.

After the 77-year-old former president sought to shift the Manhattan Supreme Court criminal fraud case over to federal court, arguing that it “involves important federal questions.”

Bragg’s office argued that the case should stay in state court, saying Trump doesn’t have the right to invoke a statute reserved for federal government officials since he wasn’t acting as president when the alleged crimes occurred.

Trump’s team claimed the alleged conduct took place while he was in office and claimed the case “was brought solely due to the political motivation” of Bragg.

Trump is charged in a 34-count indictment with falsifying business records when he allegedly had his personal lawyer and “fixer” Michael Cohen make a $130,000 payment to former porn star Stormy Daniels to keep her quiet about her claims that she had an affair with the president while he was married to Melania Trump.

Cohen was then reimbursed for the money he paid to Daniels, which Trump tried to cover up, prosecutors allege.

Hellerstein seemed to side with the DA’s office’s arguments that the alleged crimes were carried out purely for personal reasons, and not as part of Trump’s role as president.

“Cohen was hired as a private actor. He was hired for a private matter by a public official to take care of private matters,” Hellerstein said.

The judge said he would issue a written ruling within two weeks. He said his statements are where he stands on the ruling at the moment — but noted that could change.

Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan has set a trial date in the case for March 25, 2024, which is in the middle of the campaign season for the 2024 presidential election.

Trump also faces a federal indictment in Florida for allegedly hoarding classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate after he left office and then later trying to cover it up.

He has denied the allegations in both cases.