Former President Donald Trump, now the president-elect, is facing more legal trouble and has responded with anger. Trump recently attacked the New York judge in charge of his hush money case. He called Judge Juan Merchan “the most conflicted judge in New York State history” and demanded that he be disbarred.
So, what exactly is this all about?
This case is about payments made to an adult film star during the 2016 election to hide an alleged affair. Trump is accused of falsifying business records to cover up the payment. In May 2024, a jury found Trump guilty of 34 felony counts, making him the first former U.S. president convicted of criminal charges.
Judge Merchan announced that sentencing would take place on January 10, 2025. However, the judge said he might not propose any punishment. He mentioned the Supreme Court’s ruling on presidential immunity since Trump is about to take office again.
Trump posted at least three times on his social media platform, Truth Social, to criticize the judge and the case. In one post, he said, “I never falsified business records. It is a fake, made-up charge by a corrupt judge who is just doing the work of the Biden/Harris Injustice Department.”
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He also attacked Judge Merchan personally, calling him “totally out of control” and a “Trump-hating judge.” Trump claimed the judge was part of a corrupt system and wrote, “This is why people, and companies, are FLEEING New York. A corrupt court system.” He also added, “It is time to end the Lawfare once and for all, so we can come together as one Nation and, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Trump complains about his court cases, implies he never met E. Jean Carroll. pic.twitter.com/Q4dAKxUtbZ
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) January 4, 2025
In another statement, Trump escalated his criticisms, claiming that legal experts agree the case should never have been brought. He said, “Every Legal Scholar and Pundit, including the highly respected, and sadly recently passed, David Rivkin… have unequivocally stated that the Manhattan D.A.’s Witch Hunt is a nonexistent case.” Trump also accused Judge Merchan of being a “radical partisan” and violating the First Amendment by imposing a gag order. He added, “I am the only Political Opponent in American History not allowed to defend myself.”
Trump has repeatedly claimed that this case is politically motivated. He argued that Democrats are using the justice system to attack him because he is their political opponent. He wrote, “Corrupt Democrat judges and prosecutors have gone against a political opponent of a President, ME, at levels of injustice never seen before.”
This is not a new strategy for Trump. He often says he is being treated unfairly and uses this to rally support from his followers. This hush money case is just one of Trump’s many legal issues. Over the years, he has faced investigations and lawsuits about election interference, tax fraud, and classified documents.
Trump recently celebrated after Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith dropped two cases against him. These were the election interference case and the case about classified documents. Smith dropped the cases after Trump won the 2024 election, following a DOJ policy that says sitting presidents cannot be prosecuted.
Trump called Smith “deranged” and wrote, “His illegal raid of my home, Mar-a-Lago, will go down as one of the ‘dirtiest tricks’ ever perpetrated by one candidate, a dumb as a rock, Sleepy Joe Biden, on another.”
Many people, including legal experts, worry about the impact of Trump’s words. They believe his attacks on the judge and the justice system could harm public trust in the courts. Critics also point out that Trump benefits from legal protections for elected officials, even while he claims the system is unfair to him.
Judge Merchan’s decision to consider no punishment shows how these legal protections work. Some people think this sends a bad message—that powerful people are above the law.
Trump’s words, such as “The World is watching in disgust,” reflect the tension around this case. As the world watches, how this case is handled will show whether America’s justice system can remain fair and strong.
Trump’s ongoing fight with the legal system is not just about him. It raises important questions about fairness, politics, and the rule of law. While Trump continues to speak out against the judge and the charges, the focus should stay on justice.
Featured image via Political Tribune Gallery
