Donald Trump's lawyers ask judge to exit criminal case, echoing claims of political bias

[ificandream]

Source: Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — Within hours of his historic arraignment this spring, Donald Trump fixed his ire on the judge, complaining that he’s “a Trump-hating judge” with a family full of “Trump haters.”

On Friday, the former president’s lawyers doubled down on that criticism, demanding Judge Juan Manuel Merchan step aside from his New York City criminal case because of what they say is anti-Trump bias and a conflict of interest arising from his daughter’s work for some of Trump’s Democratic rivals.

Trump’s lawyers allege that Merchan, a respected jurist in Manhattan’s criminal court, tipped the scales in two other Trump-related cases by involving himself in plea negotiations for Trump’s longtime finance chief and requiring him to testify against Trump’s company in exchange for a five-month jail sentence.

Trump’s lawyers, Susan Necheles and Todd Blanche, also asked Merchan to explain three political donations totaling $35 that were made to Democratic causes in his name during the 2020 election cycle.

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-criminal-case-judge-merchan-d0e54b546043e0497b5c04e78b505d6a

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Man, are they nervous ....

[Haggis 4 Breakfast]

1. Let me see if I have this right.

Judge Merchan contributed all of $35 to Democratic campaigns and trumpie thinks that should disqualify him ?

Golly, then I'm sure he thinks that Uncle Thomas should also disqualify himself from ruling on cases that involve billionaires, too ??

[Hugh_Lebowski]

16. It doesn't even say 'campaigns' it says 'causes', just sayin' (nt)

[Haggis 4 Breakfast]

24. Even so.

trump wants a man disqualified over $35 that was split between three ????

[cstanleytech]

26. Ya as using their logic you can disqualify every judge nominated by a Democrat.

[Mopar151]

2. My name is not Donald Trump! That judge is a crisis actor!

You're all lying! I never used that name! My real name is John Barron! You have the wrong man! I demand a fair trial in another court, where I pick the judge!

[LiberalFighter]

3. Have Necheles and Blanche donated to political candidates?

[iluvtennis]

4. Frivolous lawsuit. n/t

[SouthernDem4ever]

5. Stupid ass trump still thinks people that like him will let him break the law

Anyone that would do that deserves to go to prison with him.

[Schmice3]

6. Motion denied.

[republianmushroom]

7. 28 months and counting

Lot of investigation but no indictment except by one state.

[Evolve Dammit]

8. I am disgusted with how judges are appointed to be manipulated (used) by the rich. "They got the

judges in their back pockets." G. Carlin

[cstanleytech]

9. I suspect Trump will object to almost any judge unless it's one he nominated to the office of course

[eggplant]

12. He hasn't done well with the ones he appointed, either. n/t

[republianmushroom]

10. trump wants to do a little judge shopping for himself ?

28 months and counting

Lot of investigation but no indictment except by one state.

[VeryProgressive]

11. Sovereign Citizen?

What's next for the Dumpster? Is he going to claim he's a sovereign citizen? That the laws don't apply to him? I wouldn't put it past him. He is simply the more corrupt yet stupid man I have seen serving as President.

[GenThePerservering]

13. $35

Sorry, Dump.

[Sneederbunk]

20. He's a player.

[Grins]

21. 3 causes? Like...$10...$10...$15? Take it to SCOTUS...

…where the judge will find sympathetic ears.

[ShazzieB]

14. Har dee har har!

This will go nowhere!

Trump thinks everyone who doesn't get down on all fours to kiss his behind is biased! Either you are a dedicated Trump worshipper who will crawl across broken glass for him, or you are a Trump hater. There is NOTHING in between with that doofus!

[world wide wally]

15. I often wonder if Trump has ever considered "WHY" there are so many Trump haters

[Hugh_Lebowski]

17. Since he clearly has NPD I suspect the answer in his mind is that

so many sad losers are jealous and/or intimidated by his greatness and vast wealth and power.

[Prof. Toru Tanaka]

18. You are 100% correct on that.

I have never seen such as a case of delusional narcissism as that which Trump possesses.

[mgardener]

19. If Republicans are going to use this tactic ....

Then shouldn't Clarence Thomas excuse himself from any cases Ginni Thomas is involved with?

[jmowreader]

22. Judge Merchan's response

"Hello, Rapid Steel? This is Judge Juan Manuel Merchan of the Manhattan Criminal Court. Do you have any inch-thick plate steel in stock?"

"Why, yes we do. What kind of steel do you need?"

"The heavy kind."

"No, no, you don't understand. Steel comes in different grades, designated by a four digit code. Do you know the AISI number of the steel you're looking for?"

"For this application, the grade doesn't matter. I need a piece about three feet square, and one of the sides needs to be cut at a roughly 35-degree angle."

"So...shaped kinda like a guillotine blade?"

"Exactly. When can you deliver that?"

"You have Donald Trump on your docket, right?"

"Well...yeah."

"Okay, we've got two delivery times. If you just want the steel dropped off at your courthouse, we can do that tomorrow. But if you'd like us to sharpen the edge, drill three holes so you can bolt it to the guillotine, and build you a guillotine so you can use it, give us until Wednesday. We'll make the blade out of our best stainless steel. Price will be $50."

"Why so cheap?"

"Rapid Steel believes in civic improvement, Your Honor."

[Novara]

23. Wow, a WHOLE thirty five dollars!

That is some extreme bias, I tell you whut.

[onetexan]

25. Stall tactic. The judge outta fine the damn lawyers for such a dumb movr