Trump moves to disqualify judge in porn star hush money case

Former President Donald Trump is seeking to disqualify the New York state judge overseeing the criminal case against him stemming from a hush money payment to a porn star.
In a motion made public on Friday, Trump’s lawyers argued that New York state Justice Juan Merchan in Manhattan has a conflict due to his daughter’s work at a consulting firm that does work for Democrats. The motion also noted that the judge encouraged a former Trump Organization executive to cooperate
during a prior case, calling that a preconceived bias against Trump.
Trump’s lawyers also asked the judge to explain $35 in political contributions in 2020. Federal records show Merchan donated $35 to the Democratic group ActBlue, with the money earmarked for the Biden campaign and two progressive groups.
“Your Honor cannot preside over this case,” Trump’s lawyers wrote in the filing, given the questions about his impartiality.
The motion is Trump’s latest legal maneuver to keep Merchan from overseeing the case. Last month, Trump asked for the case to be moved to federal court. It is proceeding in state court ahead of a decision.