The Judge Overseeing Trump's Historic Indictment and Defense Arguments

Acting New York Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan, who has sentenced Trump’s close confident Allen Weisselberg to prison and presided over the Trump Organization tax fraud trial, will oversee former President Donald Trump’s criminal arraignment on Tuesday. Merchan is known for being a “tough” judge who maintains control of his courtroom and is fair to all parties. Despite Trump’s attacks on Merchan, the judge is not vindictive and will likely evaluate the facts and law in the case fairly. Merchan is also credited with creating the Manhattan Mental Health Court and has earned a reputation for “compassionate” rulings that give defendants second chances.