As the country navigates unprecedented events with the arrest of a former president, more information continues to emerge regarding the judge presiding over Trump’s case.
Federal Election Commission (FEC) reports show that New York State Judge Juan Merchan donated to the Biden Campaign in 2020.
While his donation was a small sum of $15, conservatives were quick to point out that were roles reversed, a judge donating money to the Trump campaign would be criticized for his actions and declared unable to be unbiased.
Under Section 100.5 of the New York Code of Judicial Conduct, judges cannot “directly or indirectly engage in any political activity” except voting or running for office. Among the prohibited activities is “making a contribution to a political organization or candidate.”
According to the American Bar Association, a judge cannot “solicit funds for, pay an assessment to, or make a contribution to a political organization or a candidate for public office.”
However, according to the FEC, Juan Merchan donated to three political candidates in 2020. In July 2020, he donated $15 to Biden’s campaign via ActBlue (a Democrat fundraising platform), $10 to the Progressive Turnout Project (an organization focused on mobilizing the Democrat vote), and $10 to the Stop Republicans organization.
On Tuesday, it was revealed that Judge Merchan’s daughter, Loren Merchan, is president of Authentic Campaigns, a political consulting business that runs Democrat campaigns and lists the Biden-Harris campaign as one of its clients.
According to her now-archived LinkedIn page, Merchan worked as Director of Digital Persuasion for Kamala Harris For The People in 2019, and in 2018 worked for Revolution Messaging to help Beto O’Rourke, Bill DeBlasio, and Kamala Harris.
Trump posted on social media site TruthSocial before his arraignment that the judge was known to be biased against him:
The Judge “assigned” to my Witch Hunt Case, a “Case” that has NEVER BEEN CHARGED BEFORE, HATES ME. His name is Juan Manuel Marchan [sic], was hand picked by Bragg & the Prosecutors, & is the same person who “railroaded” my 75 year old former CFO, Allen Weisselberg, to take a “plea” deal (Plead GUILTY, even if you are not, 90 DAYS, fight us in Court, 10 years (life!) in jail. He strong armed Allen, which a judge is not allowed to do, & treated my companies, which didn't “plead,” VICIOUSLY. APPEALING!
“Seems relevant… yet another connection in this hand picked democrat show trial. The BS never ends folks,” tweeted Trump Jr., along with a link to a Breitbart article.
Democrats quickly defended the judge and his daughter, claiming that Donald Trump Jr. was posting images of the judge’s daughter without permission, over a shared news article that had a picture attached.
“Because nothing says ‘innocent’ like threatening a judge’s family,” posted Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY).
Ocasio-Cortez continued:
Let’s be very clear: intimidation and stochastic terror are the core tools of Trump and the fascist movements that support him.
They rely on it to skirt consequence and silence others - and each time it works, they grow more brazen. One reason why accountability is so important.
Fellow Twitter users quickly responded.
“Where was this tweet from you when Supreme Court Justices were being threatened outside their own homes??? Uh huh…” tweeted one user.
“Wow, never heard your comments when Justice Kavanaugh’ home was picketed and an assassin arrested outside. I’m sure you heard about that, it was in all the papers. Well, maybe not the New York papers,” commented another.
Conservatives are also calling out Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg for hypocrisy in how he has handled felonies while in office, as well as his motive for pushing through a Trump indictment.
Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) is taking action against the Manhattan DA office after the indictment, saying that District Attorney Alvin Bragg is using his office as a political weapon.
Jordan tweeted:
Was the Biden White House in communication with Bragg’s office about a possible indictment?
And if so, is that why President Biden is refusing to comment on the matter?
President Biden has yet to speak on the Trump indictment or arrest, choosing to avoid questions.
Jordan and the House Judiciary Committee will be holding a hearing next week about Bragg’s decision to lower penalties for felonies in Manhattan in the midst of a crime surge, and will hear testimonies from victims of crime in Bragg’s jurisdiction. Before pursuing Trump on felony charges, Bragg chose to downgrade 52% of felonies to misdemeanors.
Trump’s next court date is set for December 4th.
