New York – Former President Donald Trump is seeking a new judge just days before his hush-money criminal trial is set to commence, in an attempt to disrupt and delay the case. This is not the first time Trump has raised grievances about the current judge, Juan M. Merchan, alleging bias and a conflict of interest because Merchan’s daughter is a Democratic political consultant. However, the judge had previously rejected a similar request in August.
Trump’s lawyers filed court papers on Friday urging Merchan to step aside, claiming that it is improper for him to preside over the proceedings while his daughter benefits financially and reputationally from the case interfering with Trump’s campaign. Merchan has not yet made a ruling on the request.
The trial is scheduled to begin on April 15 and is significant as it would be the first-ever criminal trial of a former president. If Merchan were to recuse himself, it would cause a disruption in the trial schedule and provide a postponement for Trump while a new judge gets up to speed.
The defense’s argument is based on the claim that Merchan’s daughter, Loren Merchan, is the president of Authentic Campaigns, which has received at least $70 million from Democratic candidates and causes since 2018. However, the Manhattan district attorney’s office sees no reason for Merchan to step aside, stating that there is no direct connection between her firm and the hush-money case.
In a separate development, Merchan denied Trump’s lawyers’ request to force NBC to provide them with materials related to a documentary about porn actor Stormy Daniels, a key prosecution witness. The judge ruled that the defense’s subpoena was a “fishing expedition” and did not meet the legal burden for requiring a news organization to provide access to its notes and documents.
Trump has been vocal about his dissatisfaction with Merchan and his daughter on his Truth Social platform, claiming bias and conflict of interest. However, U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan in Trump’s Washington, D.C., election interference case did not recuse herself despite similar claims made by Trump.
The hush-money case revolves around allegations that Trump falsified his company’s records to hide payments to his former lawyer Michael Cohen, who arranged to bury negative stories during the 2016 campaign. Trump pleaded not guilty to the 34 felony counts of falsifying business records and has denied having a sexual encounter with Daniels.
Despite Trump’s renewed efforts to have Merchan step aside, the judge has not made a decision yet. The trial is eagerly anticipated as it sets the stage for Trump’s four criminal cases and potentially holds major consequences for the former president.