‘Unacceptable’: Trump Team Files Motion To Replace Judge In Hush Money Trial

Former President Donald Trump has filed a motion to recuse Acting Justice Juan Merchan of the New York Supreme Court Trial Division from presiding over his criminal trial in New York, according to a filing submitted to the court on Friday.

Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, has been indicted on 34 state felony counts for allegedly falsifying business records in New York to conceal an alleged “hush money” payment about a reported extramarital affair. Trump has repeatedly criticized Merchan for his presiding over the case, with his filing on Friday seeking recusal based on the alleged political activities of Merchan’s daughter.

“Your Honor’s daughter, Loren Merchan, has a direct financial interest in these proceedings by virtue of her ownership stake and leadership role at Authentic Campaigns, Inc. Based on public disbursements data, Authentic, which services exclusively Democrat clients, is the #21 ranked vendor in the country in connection with the 2024 election,” Trump’s attorneys wrote in a 37-page filing. “The Court’s interest in these proceedings by virtue of the close relationship with an immediate relative, and Ms. Merchan’s ongoing receipt of commercial and reputational benefits based on the manner in which Your Honor has conducted these proceedings, requires recusal based on an actual conflict and an unacceptable appearance of impropriety.”