Disarray in the Court: Trump Urges Recusal of Judge in Hush Money Criminal Case Citing 'Notable Conflicts'

Donald Trump has submitted a motion requesting the removal of the New York City judge overseeing his criminal hush money case, as reported by RadarOnline.com.

Trump boldly pointed out State Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchant, citing several "significant conflicts" that include minor contributions to anti-Republican organizations and the revelation that the judge's daughter serves as the chief operating officer of a Democratic consulting firm.

According to a press release issued on May 31 by Trump's spokesperson, "The judge's daughter has a potential financial stake in her father's decision due to her direct involvement with Joe Biden's campaign." The statement further alleges, "Judge Merchant has made political donations to Joe Biden and causes such as 'Stop Republicans.'" It asserts, "This case lacks factual or legal merit, having been initiated by a District Attorney (Alvin Bragg) who campaigned on a platform of 'Get Trump.' An impartial judge is crucial to prevent this miscarriage of justice."

Judge Merchant, once unknown, faced a deluge of death threats after presiding over Trump's arraignment on 34 felony charges related to his alleged payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels to conceal their alleged affair.

The motion comes nearly a month after RadarOnline.com exclusively reported that radio talk show host Frank Moreno filed a formal complaint with the state's Commission on Judicial Conduct (CJC), raising similar conflict allegations against Merchant. Moreno, a host for New York's 77Talk Radio-WABC, believes the judge violated the state's judicial rules by making minor contributions to the voter outreach group Progressive Turnout Project, another organization called Stop Republicans, and President Biden's campaign.

Moreno pointed out, "A judge or judicial candidate should abstain from inappropriate political activities." He added, "The judge's overt preference for Donald Trump's opponent, as indicated by his contributions, makes it impossible for the public to perceive Judge Merchant's handling of this case as fair and unbiased."

Although the contributions were nominal, totalling approximately $35, legal ethics professor Stephen Gilles from New York University informed CNN.com that such political donations are frowned upon by the American Bar Association Model Code of Judicial Conduct. During Trump's ground-breaking arraignment on April 5, Judge Merchant ordered the former president to refrain from making inflammatory statements on social media and essentially keep silent.

"Défense counsel, please advise your client and anyone else necessary to refrain from making statements that are likely to incite violence or civil unrest, or jeopardize the safety or well-being of any individuals," Merchant stated, stopping short of issuing a gag order.

It remains uncertain how Judge Merchant will respond to this new verbal assault, which also criticizes the judge's decision to sentence Trump's long-time financial chief, Allen Weisberg, to five months at the infamous Riskers Island in January after he pleaded guilty to a tax fraud scheme. The statement notes, "The motion also highlights Judge Merchant's conduct in a previous case when he pressured former Trump Organization CFO Alan Weissenberg to cooperate against the Trump Corporation and President Trump."

"President Trump, like all Americans, is entitled to an unbiased judge and a fair legal process. This motion outlines Judge Merchant's significant conflicts."