An exasperated Judge Juan Merchan, in a scathing order released Wednesday morning, denied former President Donald Trump’s third attempt to kick the judge off his New York criminal hush money case based on an alleged conflict of interest.
“Stated plainly, Defendant’s arguments are nothing more than a repetition of stale and unsubstantiated claims,” Merchan wrote in the three-page order.
Earlier this month, Trump’s lawyers attempted to argue that Vice President Kamala Harris’ position as the Democratic nominee for president created a conflict of interest for Merchan based on the judge’s daughter’s work as a political consultant, rehashing an argument that Merchan denied twice in the past.
Merchan described Trump’s third attempt at recusal as “nothing more than an attempt to air grievances against this court’s rulings,” and criticized defense attorneys for repeating “inaccurate and unsubstantiated claims.”
“Defendant has provided nothing new for this Court to consider,” Merchan wrote. “Counsel has merely repeated arguments that have already been denied by this and higher courts. Defense Counsel’s reliance, and apparent citation to his own prior affirmation, rife with inaccurate and unsubstantiated claims, is unavailing.”
Merchan also criticized defense attorneys for raising issues with the remaining provisions of the case’s limited gag order, which earlier this month was affirmed by a mid-level appeals court in New York.
Republican presidential nominee and former President Donald Trump departs after speaking on a panel of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) convention in Chicago, July 31, 2024.
Vincent Alban/Reuters, FILE
“It is therefore difficult to rationalize how Defense Counsel can, in good faith, claim the Order is unconstitutional,” Merchan wrote.
Trump was found guilty in May on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to a 2016 hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels in order to boost his electoral prospects in the 2016 presidential election. He has said he will appeal the decision.
With the recusal motion denied, Merchan is expected to issue a decision next month on Trump’s motion to have the case thrown out based on the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent presidential immunity ruling. In a landmark decision last month, the Supreme Court ruled that Trump has presumptive immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts taken while in office.
Sentencing in the hush money case is still scheduled for Sept. 18.
“As has been the standard throughout the pendency of this case, this court will continue to base its rulings on the evidence and the law, without fear or favor, casting aside undue influence,” Merchan wrote in Wednesday’s order.
Former President Donald Trump’s ongoing legal battles continue to make headlines, with his latest attempt to remove Judge Juan Merchan from a hush money case proving unsuccessful. This marks the third time that Trump has tried to have Judge Merchan removed from the case, which involves allegations that Trump’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen, paid hush money to adult film star Stormy Daniels to keep quiet about an alleged affair with Trump.
The case has been a thorn in Trump’s side since it first came to light, with Daniels claiming that she was paid $130,000 in hush money just days before the 2016 presidential election. Trump has denied the affair and any involvement in the payment, but the case has continued to dog him throughout his presidency and beyond.
In his latest attempt to have Judge Merchan removed from the case, Trump argued that the judge had shown bias against him and his legal team. However, the court rejected Trump’s arguments, stating that there was no evidence of bias on the part of Judge Merchan and that he had acted impartially throughout the proceedings.
This latest setback for Trump comes as he faces multiple legal challenges, including investigations into his business dealings and taxes. The hush money case is just one of many legal battles that Trump is currently fighting, and it remains to be seen how these cases will ultimately be resolved.
Despite his attempts to have Judge Merchan removed from the case, Trump has so far been unsuccessful in his efforts. The judge has remained steadfast in his commitment to ensuring a fair and impartial trial, and it appears that Trump will have to face the allegations against him head-on in court.
As the legal proceedings continue to unfold, all eyes will be on how Trump navigates these challenges and whether he will be able to clear his name or face further legal consequences. The hush money case remains a thorn in Trump’s side, and it is clear that this legal battle is far from over.
