Donald Trump Loses Another Bid For Judge To Step Aside In Hush Money Case

In New York, a judge has again refused to step down from a case involving Donald Trump. This case involves hush money payments to a porn star.

Trump, the former U.S. president, argued that the judge had a conflict of interest because of his daughter's political work. However, the judge, Justice Juan Merchan, dismissed these claims.

This decision, made on August 13, is the third time Merchan has denied Trump’s request to remove himself. Trump’s lawyers first asked the judge to step aside in April, then again in August 2023. They argued that Merchan's daughter’s work for a political consultancy, which has ties to Democratic campaigns, made him biased. However, Merchan strongly disagreed.

In his ruling, Merchan said that Trump’s legal team didn’t provide any new evidence. They just repeated arguments that had already been turned down. He described these arguments as full of errors and unproven claims.

Trump’s legal trouble began when a jury found him guilty on May 30 of 34 felony counts. These charges were related to falsifying business records to cover up a payment made by his former lawyer, Michael Cohen. The payment of $130,000 was made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels to keep her quiet about an alleged sexual encounter with Trump before the 2016 election. Trump has denied the affair.

Prosecutors from the Manhattan District Attorney’s office called Trump’s recusal request a “frivolous” attempt to revisit an already settled issue. Despite the ongoing legal battles, Merchan is set to sentence Trump on September 18.

Trump’s lawyers have also asked the judge to throw out his conviction, citing a recent Supreme Court ruling. Merchan will decide on this request by September 16.