May 30, 2024; New York, NY, USA; The scene outside of Manhattan Criminal Court during former President Donald Trump's trial for business record falsification. A jury eventually found him guilty of 34 felony counts.
© Olivia Falcigno
(New York, NY) – At the end of May, former President Trump was found guilty by 12 members of a Manhattan jury. Following the arguments of prosecutors, and presentation of evidence, Trump was convicted of 34 felony counts of business record falsification. The matter stems from alleged payments made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels — in order to for her to remain quiet about a sexual encounter she claims to have had with Trump in the early 2000s.
Now, Trump is again pushing for the judge who oversaw the case to recuse himself — as he’s connected to the former president’s opponent in his push to regain the White House. Judge Juan Merchan has repeatedly refused calls to recuse himself in the case, saying he checked with an ethics court. But his daughter Loren Merchan previously did work for Vice President Kamala Harris — during her campaign for the US Senate in California. Loren Merchan has also done work for the campaigns of other prominent Democrats, clearly calling into question the ability for her father to remain impartial when overseeing legal matters involving Donald Trump of all people.
So, Trump’s legal team is again calling on Merchan to step aside, as sentencing has yet to take place. It was supposed to be carried out in early July, but then the US Supreme Court ruled that presidents do enjoy a certain level of executive privilege while in office. That means there is some ability to remain “immune” from criminal prosecution — given presidents always face the possibility of impeachment while in office — something Trump faced at the hands of Congressional Democrats twice. In light of the Supreme Court’s decision, Trump’s attorneys argue certain aspects of evidence ought not to have been permitted at trial.
Sentencing is currently scheduled for September. Trump could face jail time, house arrest, a fine, or probation. He is a first time offender.
