Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has indicated he does not oppose Donald Trump's request to postpone his July 11 sentencing hearing. Meanwhile, America First Legal (AFL) is suing Judge Juan Merchan for refusing to disclose his financial information amid ethical concerns related to his daughter's political work.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has expressed that he does not oppose former President Donald Trump's request to delay his July 11 sentencing hearing. The sentencing stems from Trump's conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree. Trump is appealing the ruling and has requested that Judge Juan Merchan overturn the verdict.
America First Legal (AFL) has filed a lawsuit against New York State Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan for declining to provide his financial disclosures. AFL alleges that Merchan's refusal raises questions about his impartiality in presiding over the Trump trial, given his daughter's work at a Democratic firm.
Manhattan DA 'Not Opposed' to Delaying Trump's Sentencing; Facing Lawsuit Over Financial Disclosures
AFL's lawsuit highlights concerns about a potential conflict of interest between Merchan and his daughter, Loren Merchan, who serves as president of Authentic Campaigns. Authentic Campaigns has performed political work for prominent Democratic clients, including President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
Under New York law, judges are required to file annual financial disclosures, which should be made available upon request. AFL has requested these records from Merchan on multiple occasions, but he has refused to provide them.
Manhattan DA 'Not Opposed' to Delaying Trump's Sentencing; Facing Lawsuit Over Financial Disclosures
AFL alleges that Merchan has exhibited political bias through his donations to Democratic causes, including Biden's campaign and a group called "Stop Republicans." In 2023, the Commission on Judicial Conduct admonished Merchan for his improper political donations.
Republicans have raised concerns about Merchan's impartiality, citing his daughter's political work and his refusal to recuse himself from the Trump trial. The House Judiciary Committee subpoenaed Authentic Campaigns for information related to the prosecution of Trump.
Manhattan DA 'Not Opposed' to Delaying Trump's Sentencing; Facing Lawsuit Over Financial Disclosures
Trump has requested that his sentencing be delayed until after the November presidential election. Merchan has not yet made a decision on this request. The sentencing is currently scheduled for September 18.
The legal challenges surrounding Trump's sentencing and the lawsuit against Judge Merchan continue to underscore concerns about potential conflicts of interest and the impartiality of the judiciary. As the case progresses, the issue of judicial bias will likely remain a key focus in the ongoing legal battle.
Manhattan DA 'Not Opposed' to Delaying Trump's Sentencing; Facing Lawsuit Over Financial Disclosures
