Manhattan Judge Juan Merchan, presiding over the case involving hush money payments made by former President Trump, has declined to recuse himself from the proceedings despite a request from Trump's legal team.
In a written opinion, Judge Merchan asserted his ability to remain "fair and impartial" while dismissing the arguments put forth by Trump's lawyers in favor of his recusal.
The lawyers had cited small donations made by Merchan to Democratic causes during the 2020 election as evidence of bias.
The case against Trump centers around allegations of hush money payments made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels prior to his 2016 presidential campaign.
During the 2020 election cycle, Merchan donated $15 to Joe Biden's campaign, $10 to the Progressive Turnout Project, and $10 to Stop Republicans.
Trump's legal team also pointed out that Merchan's daughter serves as the president of a digital firm that has done work for Biden's campaign.
However, Merchan dismissed these arguments and referred to the findings of the New York State Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics, which he had consulted prior to the recusal request.
According to the advisory committee, there is no indication that the judge's involvement in the case would have any impact on his relative, their business, or any of their interests. Merchan cited this finding to support his decision.
In response to the allegations of personal bias, Merchan stated that Trump's team had failed to present a substantial argument.
He wrote, "Defendant has failed to demonstrate that there exists concrete, or even realistic reasons for recusal to be appropriate, much less required on these grounds.
The speculative and hypothetical scenarios offered by Defendant fall well short of the legal standard."
The trial is scheduled to commence in March 2024 and is one of four indictments currently faced by the former president.
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