Trump attorneys file motion seeking to have judge recuse himself from Manhattan case
Asher Notheis
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Attorneys for former President Donald Trump have filed a motion to have a judge removed from overseeing Trump’s criminal case in Manhattan.
The judge Trump’s attorneys are seeking to recuse from the case is Judge Juan Merchan, who presided over Trump’s arraignment on 34 counts of falsifying business records earlier this year. Merchan’s daughter would “significantly financially benefit from a decision” that Merchan makes in this case due to her “direct efforts” with President Joe Biden’s campaign, according to a statement from a Trump spokesperson.
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“President Trump, like all Americans, is entitled under the Constitution to an impartial judge and fair legal process,” according to the statement. “This motion lays out Judge Merchan’s significant conflicts.”
The statement also cites Merchan’s apparent political contributions to Biden and to other causes, such as one titled “Stop Republicans.” The statement closes by stating that getting an impartial judge is “vital to stop this travesty of justice.”
The motion to have Merchan recuse himself has not yet been made available to the public, and lawyers involved in the process say that the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office is making redactions, according to NBC News.
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The former president was indicted on 34 counts of falsifying business records in April, marking the first time a former president has been criminally charged in U.S. history. Trump has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges.
Trump’s next trial has been set for March 24, 2024, a little less than eight months before the presidential election.