In a decision released Wednesday morning, Judge Juan Merchan denied former President Donald Trump’s third attempt to remove him from Trump’s New York criminal hush money case. Trump had claimed a conflict of interest on grounds that were dismissed as repetitive and unsubstantiated.
“Stated plainly, Defendant’s arguments are nothing more than a repetition of stale and unsubstantiated claims,” wrote Merchan in a three-page order.
Earlier this month, Trump’s legal team contended that Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential candidacy created a conflict due to Merchan’s daughter’s work as a political consultant. Merchan had previously denied this claim twice.
Judge Merchan’s Response
Merchan dismissed Trump’s third recusal attempt, describing it as an attempt to revisit grievances against the court’s past decisions. He noted that defense attorneys repeated “inaccurate and unsubstantiated claims.”
Merchan criticized the defense for not presenting any new information. “Defendant has provided nothing new for this Court to consider,” he wrote. “Counsel has merely repeated arguments that have already been denied by this and higher courts.”
Additionally, Merchan responded to complaints about the case’s limited gag order, stating that it had been affirmed by a New York appeals court earlier this month.
“It is therefore difficult to rationalize how Defense Counsel can, in good faith, claim the Order is unconstitutional,” Merchan stated.
Case Background and Next Steps
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, intended to boost his 2016 presidential election chances. Trump has announced plans to appeal the decision.
With the recusal motion denied, Merchan is expected to decide next month on Trump’s motion to dismiss the case based on the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling on presidential immunity. 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 remains 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 his order.
