20 JUN. 2025 · This week has been another pivotal moment in the ongoing legal battles surrounding former President Donald Trump. Just days ago, in a Manhattan federal appeals court, Trump’s legal team pressed forward with their latest attempt to overturn his criminal conviction in the New York State Supreme Court. That conviction, delivered last year, found Trump guilty on all 34 counts of falsifying business records as part of the infamous hush money case involving adult film star Stormy Daniels. Even after receiving an unconditional discharge—which means Trump faces no fines, no prison time, and no other penalties, but the conviction remains on his record—he has remained adamant about his innocence, again insisting by video during sentencing back in January that he was “treated very, very unfairly” and vowing to appeal at every turn.
The appeal now hinges on arguments that the case should have been moved to federal court, citing an older, rarely used law. Yet legal experts observing the proceedings have expressed skepticism, noting that the law Trump’s attorneys are invoking is unlikely to sway the appellate judges. Indeed, the president was not present in the courtroom for Wednesday’s hearing, letting his legal team take center stage. Meanwhile, journalists and court watchers filled the room, eager to catch any sign from the bench that might signal which way the judges are leaning.
But New York is just one arena in Trump’s legal battlefield. On the West Coast, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco issued a key decision regarding Trump's control of the California National Guard. The court rejected Trump’s sweeping claim that he, as president, could federalize the National Guard for any purpose and remain immune from judicial review. California Governor Gavin Newsom, who brought the challenge, publicly praised the court for affirming that the president is not above the law, though he expressed disappointment that Trump retains operational control of the Guard—for now.
Meanwhile, the appeals process is just beginning for Trump’s legal team in several other matters. In Florida, the classified documents case remains in limbo while the Eleventh Circuit prepares to hear the government’s appeal after the trial judge dismissed the indictment on technical grounds. In New York, Trump’s attorneys continue to fight the civil fraud judgment, with appeals consolidated and new briefs filed.
The sense is palpable: every week, every decision, is now unfolding under intense public scrutiny. Trump’s legal strategists are working overtime, filing appeals, challenging court orders, and pressing for dismissals—while prosecutors and state officials, from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg to California Attorney General Rob Bonta, remain determined to hold the former president accountable. As of today, June 20, 2025, Trump’s fight across multiple courts is far from over, with each day bringing new arguments, new rulings, and the possibility of even more dramatic developments on the horizon.