Key Takeaways:

• Donald Trump has filed an appeal against his hush money conviction.
• The appeal challenges his May conviction for falsifying business records related to Stormy Daniels.
• Trump's legal team has been revamped, hiring Sullivan & Cromwell LLP to manage the appeal.
• The appeal process has begun as Trump's lawyers will present detailed arguments in future filings.
• Trump continues to assert his innocence, labeling the case a "political witch hunt".

Former President Donald Trump has officially appealed his conviction in the hush money case concerning adult film actress Stormy Daniels, aiming to overturn a verdict that made him the first president with a criminal record. On Wednesday, Trump's lawyers filed a notice of appeal, requesting New York's mid-level appeals court to invalidate the May conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records related to a scheme devised to conceal a $130,000 payment intended to silence Daniels during Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign.

This particular case stands out among Trump's various legal challenges as it marked the only one to reach trial. The notice of appeal commences the legal process, permitting Trump's attorneys to elaborate on their arguments in forthcoming court filings, to which the Manhattan district attorney's office will respond. Notably, Trump's legal representation has shifted; he has engaged Sullivan & Cromwell LLP led by Robert Giuffra Jr. to spearhead the appeal.

In a statement, Giuffra emphasized the significance of the appeal, asserting that the case raises important questions for the rule of law and New York’s standing as a global financial hub. He argued that the prosecution's actions set a troubling precedent and expressed hope for a dismissal of the case. Trump was granted an unconditional discharge in January, allowing the conviction to remain on record without further punitive measures.

At his sentencing, Trump condemned the case as a “political witch hunt,” insisting that the payments to his former attorney, Michael Cohen, were mischaracterized as legal fees to conceal their true purpose. He maintains that he is innocent and that the payments were a necessary step to protect his family and reputation, rather than intended to influence the election. As his appeal unfolds, the former president continues to deny any wrongdoing, stating, “For this, I got indicted. It’s incredible, actually.”

Trump's next legal steps will be closely monitored as he navigates the complications of state-level convictions, noting that he cannot issue a presidential pardon in regard to this case.

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