Trump again seeks Judge Merchan's recusal in DA Bragg case

Former President Donald Trump on Friday asked that Judge Juan Merchan recuse himself from his upcoming trial in Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's prosecution of him for allegedly falsifying business records.

Bragg brought the charges in connection with a 2016 payment Trump's 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. The trial is set for April 15.

Trump's attorneys on Friday, pointed to Merchan's daughter's employment with Authentic, a progressive agency that boasts President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris as clients. 

"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," they wrote.

"Personal political views may not be a basis for recusal. But 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," they concluded.

Trump has previously highlighted Loren Merchan's political activism and insisted that she is a "[r]abid Trump Hater, who has admitted to having conversations with her father about me." Judge Merchan this week expanded a gag order he imposed on the former president to cover his and Bragg's family members in response.

Merchan last year rejected a similar bid from Trump to recuse himself that had also highlighted his daughter's employment, as well as pointing to his history of rulings involving the former president.

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