Donald Trump urges judge on Friday “Hush Money” Criminal Case He repurposed himself because his daughter does marketing work for prominent Democrats — the latest in a series of efforts to delay the trial, which was scheduled to begin in 10 days.
Loren Merchan, the daughter of Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan, has a “direct financial interest” in the case because she works for Trump’s enemies at the consulting firm Authentic Campaigns , such as Rep. Adam Schiff, the lead Republican prosecutor in the first impeachment trial. The former president’s lawyers argued.
Judge McCann Denied similar claims Trump’s lawyers issued a statement in August 2023 regarding his daughter’s employment, saying there was no evidence “to suggest that the outcome of this case could have any impact on the judge’s relatives, their businesses, or any of their interests.”
Merchant also noted that he consulted with the New York State Judicial Ethics Commission before deciding to proceed with the case.
But Trump’s lawyers argued on Friday that the issue should be re-examined in light of new circumstances – including that Trump is now the Republican presidential nominee, which “solidifies his status as a political target” of Authentic, Ms. Merchan and their clients.
Authentic clients have paid the company more than $18 million since Trump was indicted on charges of covering up hush-money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels, which the company used in marketing materials, the lawyers added. “Graphics and other content that mocks” Trump.
The firm’s clients include President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, lawyers said.
Trump apologizes to Todd Branch, Emile Boff writes Judge Silk should resign based on what they say is an “actual conflict” in the case.
They also believe the work the judge’s daughter has done for Democrats “seems inappropriate.”
“It would be completely unacceptable to most New Yorkers if the judge presiding over these proceedings had an adult child who worked at WinRed or MAGA Inc.,” the lawyers argued, referring to two pro-Trump organizations. .
“Personal political views may not be grounds for recusal. But profiting from promoting a political agenda hostile to President Trump, including fundraising based on this case, must be grounds for recusal,” the lawyers added.
Lawyers also presented evidence that Loren Merchan posted the “Byyyeeeee” caption on a social media account on January 20, 2021, above a photo of 77-year-old Trump leaving the White House.
The article was published long before prosecutors began pursuing the hush-money case and years before Judge Mercian was assigned to the case.
The Manhattan District Attorney’s office had no immediate comment Friday but argued in a separate court filing this week that Trump was trying to revive old arguments without presenting new evidence.
“There is nothing new here that alters this court’s previous conclusion that this litigation will not directly benefit Authentic or the family members of this court, let alone this court,” prosecutors argued.
Trump was also banned from slamming Mo Chao’s daughter on Monday Amid expanded gag order Previously, the district attorney’s office urged the court to curb Trump’s “dangerous” and “violent” rhetoric.
But Trump this week retweeted several articles criticizing the judge’s daughter on his “Truth Society” page.
The court has repeatedly rejected Trump’s Many Other Attempts The trial was postponed and is expected to begin with jury selection on April 15 and last more than six weeks.
Trump pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records, each felony punishable by up to four years in prison.
