In a surprising twist, former President Donald Trump faced a sharp rebuke from federal Judge Alvin Helstein after attempting, once again, to move the Manhattan District criminal case against him to federal court. This move, widely seen as a last-ditch effort to delay sentencing and exploit legal technicalities, was dismissed in a manner that some are calling humiliating for Trump and his legal team.

The backdrop to this legal drama began years ago when Trump first sought to transfer the state-level criminal proceedings to federal court, arguing that the charges against him were related to his duties as president. Judge Helstein denied this motion at the time, and Trump did not pursue further appeals. Now, as the clock ticks down to his sentencing on September 18th, Trump’s team has attempted to revisit this strategy, citing “new federal issues” and hoping to stall the process.

However, the attempt fell flat when Judge Helstein issued a “Notice of Deficiency in Filing,” rather than a formal order, pointing out a series of technical errors in the submission by Trump’s legal team. This included incorrect document filings and failure to obtain the necessary permissions, highlighting a level of sloppiness rarely seen in high-profile cases. Harry Litman of the “Talking Feds” podcast noted, “Judge Helstein basically took down their pants and spanked them in public,” underscoring the judge’s dismissal as a major embarrassment for Trump’s legal team.

The decision is more than just a procedural setback for Trump; it is a clear indication that the judiciary is not inclined to entertain what many see as attempts to manipulate the system. Trump’s motion was not just dismissed on technical grounds but also reinforced the earlier ruling that his actions—specifically the alleged hush money payments—were not part of his official presidential duties, thus not warranting federal court jurisdiction.

Legal analysts like Litman believe that Trump’s strategy was not just about delay, but about trying to escalate the matter to the U.S. Supreme Court, where he has often hoped for a more favorable hearing. However, Judge Helstein’s dismissal on procedural grounds effectively blocks this path, leaving Trump with no immediate avenue for appeal.

The attempt to move the case yet again to federal court, despite previous failures, reflects a broader tactic by Trump and his lawyers to introduce delays and create confusion. Their goal, according to critics, seems to be to push back the impending sentencing as long as possible. Trump’s filing even argued that the sentencing would cause “irreparable harm” to his political ambitions, highlighting his fears about the legal consequences he faces.

Moreover, the dismissal by Judge Helstein, described as a “back of the hand” rebuke by Litman, leaves Trump with few options. The court’s decision not only upholds the earlier ruling but also emphasizes that new legal opinions or interpretations are insufficient grounds for removing a case from state to federal jurisdiction.

As the September 18th sentencing date approaches, Trump’s legal maneuvers appear increasingly desperate. With Judge Helstein’s ruling, the criminal case returns firmly to the state court under Justice Juan Merchan, who presided over Trump’s conviction on 34 felony counts.

While the future remains uncertain regarding the absolute immunity issue Trump has raised, what is clear is that the court’s patience with his legal tactics is wearing thin. This latest episode serves as a stark reminder that even for a former president, the rules of the court must be followed meticulously, and attempts to bypass them will not be tolerated.

With less than a month until sentencing, Trump’s legal team must now focus on preparing for the state court proceedings rather than attempting further last-minute jurisdictional changes. The humiliating setback handed down by Judge Helstein underscores the limits of legal maneuvering and may serve as a prelude to a challenging period ahead for Trump in the courtroom.