Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg made headlines earlier this year when he indicted former President Donald Trump on felony charges over an alleged payoff to adult film star Stormy Daniels.

While Trump has sought to have the case moved to federal court, a Clinton-appointed judge just rejected his request. 

Judge: Request failed to meet two conditions

According to the Washington Examiner, U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein declared in a ruling on Wednesday that the former president's motion did not satisfy two necessary conditions.

"Trump has failed to show that the conduct charged by the Indictment is for or relating to any act performed by or for the President under color of the official acts of a President," the Examiner quoted Hellerstein as writing.

"Trump also has failed to show that he has a colorable federal defense to the Indictment," the federal judge went on to add.

"Hush money paid to an adult film star is not related to a President’s official acts. It does not reflect in any way the color of the President’s official duties," Hellerstein insisted.

Trump targeted by grand jury over January 6

Hellerstein's ruling was not the only bad news for Trump this week, as the former president also received a letter from Special Counsel Jack Smith stating that he is the target of a special grand jury that is investigating the January 6 riot on Capitol Hill.

Fox News reported that Trump made the news public on Tuesday via a series of posts made to his Truth Social account.

"Deranged Jack Smith, prosecutor with Joe Biden's DOJ, sent a letter (again it was a Sunday night!) stating that I am the TARGET of the January 6th Grand Jury Investigation, and giving me a very short four days to report to the Grand Jury, which almost always means an arrest an indictment," the former president wrote.

"So now, Joe Biden’s Attorney General, Merrick Garland, who I turned down for the United States Supreme Court (in retrospect, based on his corrupt and unethical actions, a very wise decision!), together with Joe Biden’s Department of Injustice, have effectively issued a third indictment and arrest of Joe Biden’s NUMBER ONE POLITICAL OPPONENT, who is largely dominating him in the race for the Presidency," Trump added.

House speaker says Trump's treatment "is not equal justice"

Many conservatives reacted angrily to the news, including Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. She told reporters that Smith's investigation is "absolute bulls--t."

“It’s absolute bullshit.”

— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) reacts to Trump claiming he is a target in the DoJ’s January 6th investigation. pic.twitter.com/lPv6XIKKAx

— The Recount (@therecount) July 18, 2023

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy voiced opposition as well, complaining that Trump's treatment "is not equal justice."

President Trump just increased his lead in the polls. So what does the Biden Administration do next? Weaponize government to go after President Biden’s number one opponent.

This is not equal justice. It’s wrong, and the American public is tired of it. pic.twitter.com/H53qEyOvrO

— Kevin McCarthy (@SpeakerMcCarthy) July 18, 2023