Once again, Judge Juan Merchan has opted not to step down from the case against former President Donald Trump in New York, disputing the notion that the supposed connection of his daughter to Vice President Kamala Harris presents a conflict of interest.
In his reasoning, Merchan highlighted that Trump’s appeal brings no fresh arguments to the table, essentially recycling claims that both his court and higher ones have already dismissed. Trump has contended from the trial’s outset that Merchan’s impartiality is compromised by his daughter’s engagement with Authentic Campaigns, a political consultancy primarily serving Democratic figures. The firm’s work, according to Trump, is a direct conflict of interest.
Merchan, in his statement, emphasized, “For the third occasion, it must be clearly stated that insinuations and distorted interpretations do not establish a conflict, thereby ruling out the need for my recusal.”
In a document dated July 31, Trump’s legal team argued that Merchan’s daughter benefits significantly from her association with Harris, both professionally and financially, given her history of campaign work for the Vice President. “The potential for future gains, both monetary and in her career, from her ongoing relationship with Harris is substantial,” they claimed.
Furthermore, the legal team pointed out that after the recusal debate began, Authentic Campaigns made its Twitter account private. However, its public persona still prominently associates with Harris. They also brought attention to reports from around July 29, 2024, detailing how the founder of Authentic, and a professional associate of Merchan’s daughter, leads a group named ‘White Dudes for Harris,’ which has reportedly raised substantial funds for Harris’s campaign against President Trump.
Responding on August 1, the office of District Attorney Alvin Bragg dismissed the reiteration of claims by Trump’s lawyers as lacking any new evidence, thereby not meeting the threshold required for reconsideration. “This rehearsed demonstration falls short of the criteria necessary to warrant a revival,” the prosecutors maintained.
