New York appeals court rejects Trump bid to delay trial in DA Bragg case

A New York appeals court on Monday rejected a bid from former President Donald Trump to delay his trial in Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's case against him.

Bragg has charged Trump with falsifying business records in connection with a 2016 payment his then-attorney, Michael Cohen, made to Stormy Daniels. He has pleaded not guilty and contends that the case is part of a broader political witch hunt against him.

Trump had asked the court to delay his April 15 trial while he asked for a change of venue in the case, which the court denied, the Associated Press reported. He further sought the reversal of a gag order that Judge Juan Merchan had imposed that restricted his public statements on the case, its relevant parties, and the family members of Bragg and the judge.

The court's Monday ruling does not appear to address the gag order request and the AP reported that a decision on that matter may come later.

Trump has heavily criticized Merchan throughout the process and twice asked him to recuse himself from the case, highlighting his daughter's employment with a left-wing organization. He declined to recuse himself in both instances.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.