Former President Trump launched a scathing attack on Judge Juan Merchan on Tuesday, accusing him of infringing upon his constitutional right to free speech as Merchan deliberates whether he violated a gag order in his hush-money case.
In a post on Truth Social shortly after arguments regarding the gag order concluded, Trump denounced Merchan as “HIGHLY CONFLICTED” and accused him of presiding over a “KANGAROO COURT.” Trump asserted that while others were permitted to speak and spread falsehoods about him, he was unfairly restricted from defending himself.
Donald Trump: (Credits: Las Vegas Review)
Prosecutors from the Manhattan district attorney’s office assert that Trump breached the order, which prohibits him from attacking witnesses, prosecutors, court staff, and the judge’s family, on ten occasions. They are urging the judge to levy a $1,000 fine for each violation.
Trump’s attorney, Todd Blanche, countered that Trump’s posts were responses to political attacks and argued there was no deliberate violation of the gag order.
However, prosecutors challenged this argument, contending that despite bearing “MAGA” tags, Trump’s posts should not be exempt from the order, nor should they be considered political merely because they are reposts from other accounts.
Judge Juan Merchan (Credits: CNN)
Merchan expressed skepticism towards Blanche’s assertions, remarking that Trump’s credibility was waning. The judge deferred a decision on the alleged violations of the gag order as witness testimony continued on Tuesday.
Trump has consistently targeted Merchan in the case, lambasting him as “conflicted” and calling for his recusal. Despite Trump’s demands, Merchan has steadfastly declined to recuse himself, dismissing Trump’s arguments as unsubstantiated and reliant on speculation.
