Judge Shoots Down Trump’s Latest Recusal Bid

Judge Juan M. Merchan has refused Donald Trump’s request to recuse himself from the hush money case for the third time.

At a Glance

Judge Merchan denied Trump’s third request for recusal.
Trump’s lawyers cited conflicts of interest linked to Merchan’s daughter.
A state court ethics panel supports Merchan’s continuation on the case.
Prosecutors labeled Trump’s attempts as “vexatious and frivolous.”

Trump’s Recusal Requests Denied

Judge Juan M. Merchan has once again denied former President Donald Trump’s motion for his recusal in the ongoing New York hush money criminal case. This marks the third time Merchan has rejected such requests, maintaining his stance despite Trump’s persistent efforts to unseat him. According to Merchan, claims of potential bias are “rife with inaccuracies and unsubstantiated claims.” He reiterated the strength of his impartiality, guided strictly by evidence and the law.

Trump’s legal team has argued that Judge Merchan has a conflict of interest due to his daughter’s political consulting work for prominent Democrats, including Kamala Harris. They maintain that this connection could question Merchan’s ability to deliver an unbiased ruling. However, the state court ethics panel has previously reviewed and supported Merchan’s stance, stating no reasonable basis exists for questioning his impartiality.

Merchan’s Response and Ethics Panel Ruling

Merchan addressed the defense’s claim regarding his daughter’s role in Democratic politics. He acknowledged making small contributions to Democratic causes during the 2020 campaign but insisted he could manage the case impartially. He emphasized that the relationship of his daughter to Harris does not affect his judicial performance. The state advisory committee on judicial ethics also ruled his impartiality could not be reasonably doubted.

“Defense Counsel’s reliance, and apparent citation to his own prior affirmation, rife with inaccuracies and unsubstantiated claims, is unavailing,” Merchan wrote in his latest denial. He criticized the defense’s recurring filings and noted that their repetitive arguments do not constitute a conflict of interest.

New York Judge Juan Merchan on Wednesday refused to recuse himself from former President Donald Trump's business-record case ahead of the Sept. 18 sentencing hearing. https://t.co/LA2xvThQvR

— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) August 14, 2024

Ongoing Legal Battles

Trump has been convicted of falsifying business records to hide a 2016 payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. He asserts these allegations are politically motivated and intends to appeal but must wait until after sentencing. His legal representatives also urged Merchan to overturn the verdict, citing a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity as recently as July. Merchan is expected to decide on the immunity claim by September 16, with sentencing or further proceedings set for September 18.

Other high-profile cases against Trump include federal charges of hoarding classified documents and charges related to his election claims and the January 6 Capitol riot.. While a federal case related to the documents was dismissed, the Justice Department is appealing. Additional federal and Georgia state cases are unlikely to proceed before the November election.

Prosecutors’ Standpoint

Prosecutors dismissed Trump’s recusal pleas as “vexatious and frivolous,” perceiving them as deliberate attempts to delay legal proceedings. They remain steadfast in advancing the case despite the defense team’s arguments. Prosecutors emphasized that the defense’s repetitive filings are merely an effort to relitigate previously settled issues with no new evidence brought to light.

Judge Merchan, a moderate Democrat and former Republican, continues to assert his ability to adjudicate the case fairly. The allegations against him, according to Merchan and his supporters, remain insufficient to necessitate recusal. The ongoing legal battles are set to shape Trump’s political landscape as he contends with multiple charges and upcoming elections.