New York, NY – Lawyers representing former President Donald Trump have continued their efforts to delay or dismiss the hush money trial taking place in New York. In their latest appeal, Trump’s legal team sought to remove Judge Juan Merchan from the proceedings and challenge his ruling that Trump is not protected from prosecution by presidential immunity. This development comes after a series of defeats for Trump’s lawyers in their attempts to hinder the trial. The case revolves around allegations that Trump violated New York tax and campaign finance laws when he paid adult film star Stormy Daniels $130,000 to conceal an alleged extramarital affair during the 2016 presidential election.
The appeal filed by Trump’s lawyers on Wednesday contested Merchan’s ruling on presidential immunity and also challenged the judge’s decision not to recuse himself from the case. Despite these efforts, the trial is still scheduled to begin on April 15. Trump’s legal team has faced multiple setbacks this week, with appeals court judges rejecting their motions to delay the trial, change the venue from Manhattan to Staten Island, and expand the gag order that prevents Trump from attacking witnesses and court staff.
Furthermore, Trump’s lawyers have been unsuccessful in appealing Merchan’s refusal to recuse himself from the case, his ruling allowing Daniels to testify, and his decision to hold the trial in state court rather than federal court. The latest ruling from New York Associate Justice Cynthia Kern denied Trump’s tenth attempt to delay the trial, further narrowing the window for his legal team to prevent the case from going to trial.
If the trial commences as scheduled on April 15, Trump will be the first former U.S. president to face criminal charges in a courtroom. This case has significant implications for Trump, as his lawyers have vigorously sought to avoid trial. However, time is running out for their efforts to succeed.
In another recent development, Trump’s emergency request to delay the trial was denied by New York Associate Justice Cynthia Kern. This decision came after Trump filed a motion arguing that the trial should be postponed while he appeals Merchan’s expanded gag order. The appeal to the full appeals court will not delay the trial start date on April 15, meaning that Trump will remain bound by the gag order until at least April 29.
The gag order was expanded by Merchan due to Trump’s repeated attacks on his daughter, who worked for Authentic Campaigns, a group that fundraises for Democratic political candidates. Despite Trump’s attempts to have Merchan removed from the case, an appeals court has already ruled that the judge can continue presiding over the trial.
Moving forward, Trump’s legal team has launched additional filings in an effort to further delay the trial. They are seeking to change the venue from Manhattan to Staten Island and have also filed a lawsuit against Merchan in their bid to have the gag order removed.
The hush money trial not only represents a legal battle for Trump but also a political one. As the presumptive Republican presidential nominee for 2024, Trump’s legal challenges and the outcome of the trial will have significant implications for his future political aspirations. As the trial date approaches, Trump’s options to delay proceedings are dwindling.