(PatriotsUnited.com) – The U.S. Attorney General is facing calls to probe the Judge overseeing former President Donald Trump’s criminal trial in New York.
Pro-Trump Senator J.D. Vance is leading calls for Merrick Garland to investigate Judge Juan Merchan over alleged partisanship.
Trump faces charges of falsifying professional records relating to a 2016 payment of hush money to adult film actress Stormy Daniels who is accused of having an adulterous affair back in 2006. Trump has vehemently denied all the charges, and Daniels claims they had a relationship.
Writing in a public letter, Vance said Garland must initiate a criminal probe into Merchan, claiming he may have broken federal laws by not allowing Trump access to his constitutional rights by putting a gag order on the ex-president, banning him from publicly remarking on key players in the case. This order was later extended to include Merchan’s own family and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. Trump has already received several fines for breaching the order, which he says violates his First Amendment rights.
Vance also criticized Merchan’s handling of jury selection, alleging the judge forced Trump’s legal team to waste peremptory challenges on biased jurors, undermining Trump’s right to an impartial jury. It has been noted that political views alone do not disqualify potential jurors. Further, Vance pointed to what he sees as leniency towards the prosecution, allowing them to introduce extensive evidence while purportedly restricting the defense. This included detailed testimony from Daniels about her alleged encounter with Trump, which Vance described as prejudicial.
Additionally, Vance highlighted potential conflicts of interest, referencing Merchan’s daughter, Loren Merchan, who works for a progressive political consulting firm. He also mentioned that prosecutors from Bragg’s office had urged Merchan to restrict Trump’s First Amendment rights.
Vance also expressed skepticism about Garland’s willingness to act, accusing the attorney general of being politically motivated. Nonetheless, Vance urged Garland to at least initiate a document-retention request to preserve evidence for potential future investigations.
The Justice Department has yet to respond to Vance’s letter. The senator has requested a response by June 28, pressing for transparency on whether an investigation will proceed.
This development adds another layer of complexity to an already contentious trial that has significant implications for Trump’s political future and the broader landscape of American politics.
Copyright 2024, PatriotsUnited.org
