Andrew Weissmann, a former top prosecutor for the Mueller investigation, expressed deep admiration for Judge Juan Merchan, who is overseeing former President Trump's hush money trial in New York City. Weissmann praised Merchan's judicial temperament and fairness, despite the challenges posed by Trump's actions. The jury began deliberations after Merchan's instructions, with Trump facing 34 counts of falsifying business records, to which he has pleaded not guilty.
Former President Donald Trump has launched a series of social media attacks against Judge Juan Merchan and the prosecution as his hush-money trial in New York nears its conclusion. Trump criticized the judge's handling of the case and the order of closing arguments, calling the trial a "witch hunt" and alleging election interference by the Biden administration. The jury is expected to begin deliberations soon, with Trump facing 34 felony charges of falsifying business records.
CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins refuted former President Trump's claim that Judge Juan Merchan blocked him from bringing an election expert to testify in his hush-money trial, clarifying that Trump's attorneys chose not to call the expert due to the judge's restrictions on the testimony's scope. Trump has been criticizing the judge and others involved in the case on social media as the trial nears its conclusion, with the jury set to deliberate after Memorial Day Weekend.
CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins refuted former President Trump's claim that Judge Juan Merchan blocked him from bringing an election expert to testify in his hush-money trial, clarifying that Trump's attorneys chose not to call the expert due to the judge's restrictions on the testimony's scope. Trump continues to criticize the judge and others involved in the case on Truth Social as the trial nears its conclusion.
CNN's Chris Wallace criticized Donald Trump's recent series of campaign missteps, including attacks on Judge Juan Merchan's Hispanic background, a controversial campaign video referencing a "unified Reich," and a misstatement on contraception policy. Wallace and his panel discussed the implications of these errors on Trump's campaign.
Donald Trump has criticized Judge Juan Merchan, who is overseeing his hush money trial, calling him a "conflicted" Democrat-appointed judge. Trump faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to payments made to Stormy Daniels to keep an alleged affair secret before the 2016 election. As the trial nears closing arguments and jury instructions, Trump continues to assert his innocence and attack the legal process as biased.
Robert Costello, a lawyer testifying in Donald Trump's hush money trial, faced severe criticism from Judge Juan Merchan for his "contemptuous" behavior, including eye-rolling and negative comments. Senior attorney John J. Perlstein suggested Costello might be reported to the New York bar for his actions. The prosecution aims to prove Trump paid two women to keep quiet about alleged affairs before the 2016 election, which Trump denies.
Former President Donald Trump expressed frustration over a gag order imposed by Judge Juan Merchan, which prohibits him from discussing various individuals involved in his court case, including witnesses, jurors, and court staff.
Former President Donald Trump raged against New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan before entering court for the fourth day of his Manhattan criminal trial, demanding the removal of a gag order and criticizing the judge's alleged conflict of interest. Trump's legal team previously filed a motion to have Merchan recused from the case, citing the judge's daughter's alleged ties to high-level Democratic politicians. The trial has seen disputes over jurors, with 12 sworn in and five alternate seats yet to be filled. Merchan seemed confident that the remaining alternate jurors would be chosen on Friday, and set a trial date to hear arguments for a potential gag order violation by Trump.
Herson Cabreras, dismissed from Donald Trump's hush money trial jury, expressed surprise and frustration at his dismissal, feeling caught in a "competition" between the judge, prosecution, and defense. Prosecutors raised a 1991 incident involving Cabreras tearing down political signs, which he hardly remembered, as a reason for his dismissal. Cabreras criticized Judge Juan Merchan for allowing the prosecution to use this incident to push him off the panel, calling the judge "cowardly." Despite feeling he could have been impartial, Cabreras ultimately felt relieved by the dismissal due to family concerns.
The jury selection for Donald Trump's hush money trial is underway, with 12 jurors and one alternate now seated. Both sides have used all their peremptory strikes, and a potential juror with critical social media posts about Trump has been dismissed for cause. Two new jurors have been selected, bringing the total to 10. The trial continues with ongoing scrutiny of potential jurors' past social media posts and their ability to be fair and impartial.
Courtroom sketch artist Christine Cornell revealed that Donald Trump reacted physically when Judge Juan Merchan scolded him during his hush money trial, with Trump muttering and tilting his head back. Cornell also noted the jurors' reactions and the unique aspect of many potential jurors returning on the second day to admit they couldn't be fair in the case.
Seven jurors were selected on the second day of jury selection for former President Donald Trump's hush money trial, with the process revealing the challenges of picking an impartial jury. Trump's lawyers scrutinized prospective jurors' social media posts for anti-Trump bias, prompting Judge Juan Merchan to admonish Trump for conduct toward a juror. The jury panel consists of four men and three women, with jury selection set to resume on Thursday. Both sides are using preemptory challenges to dismiss jurors, and the judge is aiming to conclude jury selection this week.
Former President Donald Trump falsely claimed that Judge Juan Merchan prohibited him from attending his son Barron's high school graduation due to his criminal trial, despite the judge not making a firm ruling on the matter. Trump and his allies, including his sons and political figures, made false remarks about the judge's decision, inciting right-wing outrage. Judge Merchan has only ruled that Trump cannot miss the trial for his immunity appeal, warning that doing so could result in jail time. Trump has a history of using legal rulings to garner sympathy and donations from his supporters.
Allies of former President Donald Trump are falsely claiming that the judge in his hush-money trial prohibited him from attending his son's high school graduation, despite the judge not preventing Trump from doing so. Trump and his team have been accused of lying about the court proceedings, with his attorney and sons echoing the false claims. The judge has implemented a gag order to prevent Trump from attacking individuals involved in the case, leading to Trump's complaints about being silenced.
