The third time around, it doesn’t work for former President Donald Trump’s lawyers: Their attempt to once again convince Judge Juan Merchan to recuse himself from the criminal trial in Manhattan, in which Trump was found guilty by the jury at the end of May and the verdict is scheduled for September, has failed.
For those wondering why the denial is an issue again, Trump’s legal team has filed a third Motion to reject In early August, when Vice President Kamala Harris was confirmed as the likely Democratic presidential candidate, he described Merchan’s daughter Loren’s advisory work for prominent Democrats – including Harris – as a conflict of interest.
“Your Honor’s daughter has a long-standing relationship with Harris, including work for political campaigns,” Trump’s lawyers Todd Blanche and Emil Bove wrote in a preliminary application letter requests that the judge dismiss her. “She has derived and will continue to derive significant financial, professional and personal benefits from her relationship with Harris.”
Merchan’s daughter Loren works as an executive at the progressive digital agency Authentic. In her company biography, the judge refers to her work for Harris’ Senate campaign.
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But Merchan has disputed He called the defense’s arguments “nothing more than a repetition of stale and unproven allegations” and insisted that “innuendo and misrepresentation do not create a conflict.”
Merchan cited previous guidance from a state ethics advisory panel that suggested he would not need to resign, adding:
As has been the practice throughout the pendency of this case, this Court will continue to base its judgments on the evidence and the law, without fear or favor, and without regard to undue influence.
However, Merchan has received a warning for political donations.
However, the judge received a warning for making a total of $35 in political contributions to the Biden campaign and two liberal groups, including one called Stop Republicans. Although the donations were made before Merchan took over Trump’s hush money case, New York ethics rules prohibit judges from making political contributions.
And the Trump campaign has pushed back against his steadfast refusal to abstain from the appeal.
“The sitting judge has consistently and recklessly demonstrated his personal bias against President Trump throughout the proceedings, including imposing an illegal, unconstitutional and election-rigging news blackout on the President and his campaign and allowing unconstitutional ‘evidence’ into court,” Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung said in a statement. “The highly conflicted judge should have recuse himself from this case long ago.”
In the meantime, Merchan must determine what impact, if any, the Supreme Court’s ruling on presidential immunity has on the case. He is scheduled to issue his decision on the remaining post-trial motions by Sept. 6. Trump’s sentencing is currently scheduled for Sept. 18, “if it is still necessary.”
