Anti-Trump judge targets president-elect's incoming DOJ officials

New York Judge Juan Merchan is now attacking members of President-Elect Donald Trump's incoming administration. 

The judge did so, according to the Daily Caller, in a recent court filing.

The individuals whom the judge attacked are Todd Blanche, Trump’s deputy attorney general nominee, and Emil Bove, Trump's principal associate deputy attorney general appointee.

Both individuals have been members of Trump's legal defense team in recent years.

Background

Merchan is the judge who has overseen the so-called hush-money case that Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg (D) brought against Trump.

Trump got a qualified win in the case in that it now appears that Merchan will not be sentencing him to jail.

The Associated Press reported:

In an extraordinary turn, a judge Friday set President-elect Donald Trump’s sentencing in his hush money criminal case for Jan. 10 — little over a week before he’s due to return to the White House — but indicated he wouldn’t be jailed.

It is a "qualified win" because Trump was still found guilty by a jury, and, once the judge sentences him, Democrats will, at least for the time being, get to refer to Trump as a convicted felon.

And, of course, this is all coming just before Trump is about to enter the White House. Accordingly, it is no coincidence.

Merchan targets Trump's officials

As mentioned at the outset, Merchan, in his recent ruling, actually went after incoming members of the Trump's DOJ.

He wrote:

Now however, counsel has resorted to language, indeed rhetoric, that has no place in legal pleadings . . . Viewed in full context and mindful of the parties to this action, such arguments, in the broader picture, have the potential to create a chilling effect on the Third Branch of government.

Merchan, of course, did not admit to the negative consequences that his own actions will have for the judicial system.

White House communications director nominee Steven Cheung has responded to Merchan's accusations.

Cheung said:

Today’s order by the deeply conflicted, Acting Justice Merchan in the Manhattan DA Witch Hunt is a direct violation of the Supreme Court’s Immunity decision and other longstanding jurisprudence. This lawless case should have never been brought, and the Constitution demands that it be immediately dismissed. President Trump must be allowed to continue the Presidential Transition process and to execute the vital duties of the presidency, unobstructed by the remains of this or any remnants of the Witch Hunts. There should be no sentencing, and President Trump will continue fighting against these hoaxes until they are all dead.