Former President Donald Trump is making another attempt to fight his upcoming criminal hush money trial in New York by asking an appeals court to intervene. The basis for this new petition against Judge Juan Merchan, who is overseeing the case, is not immediately clear as the documents associated with it are sealed. Trump has already tried and failed twice this week to delay the trial, challenging a gag order and trying to move the case out of Manhattan. His attorneys have also attempted to have Merchan removed from the case due to his daughter’s work for a Democratic political consulting firm.
In April of last year, Trump pleaded not guilty to a 34-count indictment that accuses him of falsifying business records in connection with a hush money payment made by his then-attorney Michael Cohen to adult film actress Stormy Daniels just before the 2016 presidential election. Despite the charges, Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing. Jury selection for the trial is set to begin next Monday in New York City. The former president’s legal team has been actively working to challenge the trial on multiple fronts, including attempting to delay it and seeking to have the judge removed from the case.
This latest effort by Trump to scuttle the trial comes as he faces mounting legal challenges in various investigations and lawsuits across the country. The former president’s legal troubles have continued to follow him since leaving office, with numerous cases related to his business dealings, taxes, and alleged misconduct during his time in office. Trump’s legal team has been fighting vigorously to protect him from potential criminal charges and other legal consequences, but the challenges keep mounting. It remains to be seen how successful his latest petition will be in derailing the upcoming hush money trial in New York.
Despite the legal battles and controversies surrounding him, Trump has remained defiant in his denials of any wrongdoing, insisting that he is the victim of political persecution and a “witch hunt” by his opponents. He continues to rally his supporters and maintain his influence in the Republican Party, with many loyal followers standing by him despite the legal challenges he faces. The outcome of the upcoming hush money trial in New York will be closely watched as it could have significant implications for Trump’s future legal battles and political ambitions. The former president’s ongoing legal troubles have cast a shadow over his post-presidency life and continue to be a major point of contention for both his supporters and detractors.
