(TheRedWire.com) – Donald Trump’s attorneys have filed a motion seeking to have Judge Juan Merchan recused from the state in the Manhattan criminal case relating to the hush money case, adding that the judge had conflicts.
The motion is trying to get Merchan to step aside from presiding in the case over Trump’s arraignment on 34 counts of falsifying business records. In the statement released on Wednesday, Trump’s lawyers stated that all Americans are granted by the U.S. Constitution the right to an “impartial judge and a fair legal process.” However, as the motion which is not yet public alleges, Merchan has “significant conflicts.”
The Manhattan district attorney’s office is currently making redactions to the motion according to lawyers involved in the process. A spokesperson for the office also stated that the motion was being reviewed and a response in court papers would be given.
Trump has repeatedly taken to social media to claim that Merchan was partisan and that he “hates” Trump. However, Prominent lawyers NBC News has interviewed previously have claimed that Merchan is known for being “fair.”
In the statement released on Wednesday, Trump’s lawyers point out that Merchan, who is involved in Trump’s criminal case, had previously also presided over a criminal case brought forth against the Trump organization. Merchan had previously fined the Trump Organization $1.6 million for a tax fraud scheme, with Trump Organization’s former chief financial officer, Allen Weisselberg acting as the star witness as part of his own plea agreement. A reference to the judge’s daughter was also made, as she is known to have previously worked with a political firm that was involved in President Biden’s presidential campaign.
Copyright 2023, TheRedWire.com
