The lawyers of former President Donald Trump are once again urging Judge Juan Merchan to recuse himself from Trump’s New York hush money trial. This comes after the judge previously declined a similar request from the defense. The defense lawyers argue that Merchan’s daughter’s work for the digital consulting firm, Authentic Campaigns, creates a financial interest tied to the former president’s trial.
According to defense lawyer Todd Blanche, “Under these circumstances, Your Honor has an interest in this case that warrants recusal, there is an unacceptable risk that the Court’s family relationships will influence judicial conduct, and the Court’s impartiality ‘might reasonably be questioned.'” The defense is seeking permission to file a motion in support of recusal.
In response, prosecutors from the Manhattan district attorney’s office have filed a rebuttal, stating that the defense’s request for recusal is factually flawed and fails to provide any new information. The prosecutors argue that the request should be denied.
This is not the first time Trump’s lawyers have attempted to have Judge Merchan recused from the case. They previously made a similar effort based on Merchan’s political contributions to Democrats in 2020 and his daughter’s work as a political consultant. However, Merchan declined to recuse himself, maintaining that he can be fair and impartial in the case.
In their current filing, Trump’s lawyers argue that the circumstances of the trial have changed since Merchan’s previous decision. They claim that President Trump’s status as the presumptive Republican nominee for the 2024 election and Merchan’s daughter’s role as a political consultant create potential conflicts of interest.
Merchan’s daughter, Loren Merchan, has worked for Authentic Campaigns, which has provided digital consulting services to numerous Democratic clients. The firm’s clients have included President Joe Biden’s 2020 campaign, Vice President Kamala Harris’ 2020 presidential campaign, Senate Majority PAC, and Rep. Adam Schiff’s campaigns. Trump’s lawyers argue that there is evidence suggesting Authentic Campaigns has used the case to make money.
The prosecutors, however, dispute these allegations of a financial conflict between Merchan and his daughter. They argue that there is no direct connection between Authentic Campaigns and the case.
Trump pleaded not guilty to a 34-count indictment last April, which charged him with falsifying business records in connection with a hush money payment made to Stormy Daniels before the 2016 presidential election.
Jury selection for the trial is scheduled to begin on April 15 in New York City.