Trump Criticizes Judge for ‘Rushed’ Hush Money Trial Pre-Statements
TL/DR –
Donald Trump has used social media to criticize the judge and circumstances of his hush money trial in New York, referring to the proceedings as a “scam” and a “witch hunt.” Trump’s lawyers tried to delay the trial and change the location, arguing that New York City residents were too biased to form a fair jury, but this request was denied. The former president faces 34 counts of falsifying business records in relation to an alleged $130,000 hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels.
Trump Criticizes Judge and New York Hush Money Trial Conditions
Donald Trump, former US President, voiced his displeasure on Saturday over the judge and proceedings of his New York hush money trial. This trial concluded jury selection on Friday and will begin opening arguments on Monday.
In a series of Saturday morning Truth Social posts, Trump referred to the trial as a politically motivated “witch hunt” and called for the removal of the presiding judge due to alleged conflicts of interest.
Trump’s critique follows his legal team’s unsuccessful attempt to delay the trial and change its location. The defense contended that New York City residents were too biased to constitute a fair jury, a position swiftly dismissed by a Manhattan appeals court.
Despite attempts to delay, Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan confirmed that opening arguments for the unprecedented criminal trial of a former US president would commence Monday morning.
Trump faces 34 charges of falsifying business records linked to an alleged $130,000 hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels.
Trump’s public criticism of Merchan and other trial participants has become routine, defying a gag order imposed in March. He has repeatedly called for the judge’s recusal, citing the judge’s daughter’s employment at a progressive political consultancy firm.
On Monday, prosecutors requested penalties for Trump’s gag order infringements, referencing three specific social media posts which targeted various witnesses, including Daniels and ex-lawyer Michael Cohen. They sought a $1,000 fine for each post and asked Merchan to warn Trump of potential imprisonment for future violations.
Merchan announced he would schedule a hearing to address the prosecutors’ request this Wednesday.
—
Read More US News