US President Donald Trump has filed an appeal to overturn his May 2024 criminal conviction in the hush-money payment case, arguing he is shielded by presidential immunity.

Trump was convicted of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records by a unanimous jury in New York.

In December, citing Trump’s imminent return to the White House, a New York judge sentenced Trump to an unconditional discharge, meaning he would not serve time or pay a fine.

“This case should never have seen the inside of a courtroom, let alone resulted in a conviction,” Trump’s lawyers said in the latest filing.