Trump Defense Team Files Motion to Recuse Judge Merchan in Hush Money Case

The clock is ticking on Donald Trump’s hush money case brought by Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg.

Judge Merchan has set a trial date for April 15, but Trump is hoping to have that pushed back after yet another last-minute filing.

Trump, once again, is filing to have Judge Merchan removed from the case due to a conflict of interest.

Money Maker

The premise behind the filing is the fact that Loren Merchan, Judge Merchan’s daughter, works for a company called Authentic.

Authentic is a digital marketing campaign that has worked for the likes of Kamala Harris, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), and the DNC.

In fact, the DNC and Schiff have raised more than a reported $90 million on Trump’s legal issues, hence the call to have Merchan removed.

In the filing, Trump’s attorneys argued, “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.

“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.”

The filing concluded, “It would be completely unacceptable to most New Yorkers if the judge presiding over these proceedings had an adult child who worked at WinRed or MAGA Inc.

“Personal political views may not be a basis for recusal, [b]ut profiting from the promotion of a political agenda that is hostile to President Trump, and has included fundraising solicitations based on this case, must be. Accordingly, President Trump respectfully requests that the Court recuse itself.”

Bragg has already pushed back, claiming that nothing has changed since the last time Trump wanted Merchan to recuse himself.

While I do not expect Merchan to grant the motion, I would suspect that Trump will appeal the decision, hoping to have the case delayed while the appeals process plays out.

Trump has a legitimate gripe here, so this could really put a wrench into the system in terms of Dems hoping to see Trump convicted on at least one federal charge to hurt his chances at re-election.