Donald Trump’s attorneys are making another attempt to have Judge Juan Merca removed from the silent money court in New York.
As for the first time, the former president’s lawyers point to this political work the judge’s daughter did it. But they also argue that a last gag order It is a factor against Trump.
In a letter to Merchan, Trump’s lawyers said Merchan was an “unacceptable risk.” of his daughter Working for Authentic Campaigns, a political firm working with President Joe Biden’s 2020 campaign, will influence the judge’s conduct.
In Monday’s letter, they wrote: “Your daughter is the CEO and partner of Authentic Campaigns, Inc. As recently as February and March 2024, Authentic used social media to mock President Trump while displaying her ties to President Biden and Vice President Harris.” It was made public on Tuesday.
The letter also states that Mercha “appears to have made out-of-court comments about the case.” referring to the comments he spoke to The Associated Press last month and claimed he “used the Office of the Judicial Administrator” to make a statement about the X account linked to his daughter.
The letter seeks leave to file a motion Wednesday to support its arguments, which include briefing and evidence.
The court and Authentic Campaigns did not immediately respond to requests for comment Tuesday.
The letter from Trump’s lawyers was dated the same day as Mercha’s extended the partial congestion order After Trump attacked his daughter on social media, Trump’s lawyers said it “limits his ability to engage in protected campaign speech.”
Prosecutors at the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office responded on Tuesday, saying they had “not identified any changes” that prompted Trump to reconsider Mercha’s earlier order.
“There is simply nothing new here that would alter this Court’s prior finding that nothing about this proceeding would directly benefit Authentic or this Court, let alone this Court,” the DA’s office wrote.
Last year, Trump’s attorneys filed a motion to disqualify Mercha, citing “significant conflicts” that included him. of his daughter employment.
During the 2020 election cycle, Merchan’s daughter was listed as Authentic’s president, according to federal filings. campaign finance reports worked with various Democratic groups.
merchant refused to give up itself noted in its August order that it had consulted with the state court system’s Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics regarding his daughter’s hiring and concluded that “this Court has examined its conscience and is confident of its ability to be fair and impartial.”
Trump he pleaded not guilty Last year, after he was charged with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in connection with a hush money payment to adult film star Stormi Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign.
The trial is set for April 15.