Former President Donald Trump has initiated legal action against New York Judge Juan Merchan, who is presiding over the hush money case involving Trump, in what appears to be an effort to stall the upcoming trial set for next week.
Trump’s lawsuit targets the restrictions imposed by Judge Merchan, specifically the gag order which prevents Trump from criticizing court staff, prosecutors, potential witnesses, and the judge’s family members. Interestingly, the order does not prohibit Trump from criticizing Judge Merchan or Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg (D), who is also involved in the case.
Details of Trump’s lawsuit remain confidential as the documents have been sealed. Reports suggest that the lawsuit primarily challenges the constraints of the gag order.
Judge Merchan has noted Trump’s history of public attacks against individuals involved in his legal battles. Initially, Merchan chose not to implement a gag order, opting instead to verbally admonish Trump. However, after persistent requests from Bragg’s office and subsequent posts by Trump targeting the judge’s daughter, the judge decided to impose and later expand the gag order to include family members.
The involvement of Judge Merchan’s daughter, Loren Merchan, in the case has been a point of contention. She is an executive at Authentic, a progressive political consulting firm with clients including Vice President Kamala Harris, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), and President Joe Biden. Trump has previously argued that her position and affiliations are grounds for Judge Merchan to recuse himself from the trial.
