A Manhattan judge dismissed Donald Trump’s attempt to postpone his criminal trial based on presidential immunity, labeling the former president’s filing as “untimely.” Judge Juan Merchan submitted a six-page document on Wednesday afternoon, denying Trump’s last-minute request to further delay the trial regarding alleged hush-money payments, even after Trump’s team successfully pushed back the trial by 30 days.

Trump had filed the motion on March 7, seeking to postpone the trial until after the US Supreme Court determines whether the presidential immunity defense applies to criminal charges against sitting or former presidents. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments on this matter on April 25, with a decision expected days or weeks later. However, Judge Merchan had already set the trial date for April 15.

Judge Merchan pointed out that Trump had numerous opportunities to file his motion on presidential immunity but opted not to, suggesting it was a strategic move. Trump has invoked presidential immunity in nearly all his upcoming criminal trials. The judge clarified that the court would not entertain arguments regarding whether the doctrine of presidential immunity prevents the introduction of evidence of purported official presidential acts in a criminal proceeding.