Trump calls for multiple judges to be removed ahead of gag order decision

Former President Trump called for multiple judges to be removed Wednesday, ahead of the gag order decision in his hush money case. 

Trump went after Judge Juan Merchan, who is presiding over the New York hush money case, which was the former president’s first indictment. Trump faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in connection reimbursing his then-fixer, Michael Cohen, who paid porn actress Stormy Daniels in the lead-up to the 2016 election to stay quiet about an alleged affair with Trump.

“We have a Rigged Judge, who is working for the Democrat Party and refuses to terminate this ‘case,’ which should have never been brought by Soft on Crime Alvin Bragg,” Trump said in a Truth Social post published early Wednesday morning. “Judge Merchan should immediately removed, and the Appellate Courts have to take over.” 

Trump also ripped into New York Judge Arthur Engoron, who presided over a civil fraud case against the former president, and Judge Lewis Kaplan, who oversaw Trump’s defamation trial, in which he was ordered to pay $83.3 million to columnist E. Jean Carroll, in the post.

“That also applies to Corrupt Judge Engoron, who knew I did nothing wrong, and still fraudulently fined me $500 Million Dollars while having no knowledge of Valuation, Finance, or in any way what he was doing,” Trump said.

“Same with Judge Kaplan, who allowed a woman, who I have never met (celebrity photo line does not count!), and know nothing about, to get a lawless judgment of $90 Million Dollars,” he continued. “New York Justice is in shambles, and only the Appellate Courts can save it. A Republican doesn’t stand a chance – This is not Justice…”

Prosecutors working in the Manhattan district attorney’s office have argued the former president has violated Merchan’s gag order 10 times. The order prevents him from attacking prosecutors, court staff, witnesses and the judge’s family. 

Trump lawyer Todd Blanche has argued his client was responding to political attacks. 

Merchan said Tuesday he would reserve the decision regarding the alleged gag order violations, but noted to Blanche that he was losing credibility after he claimed Trump was “being very careful” not to violate the gag order.