At the End of Day 1, Trump Voices Concerns About Judge in N.Y. Trial

In light of his New York criminal case, Donald Trump expressed his concerns about the judge overseeing the trial, stating that he believes he should be focusing on his campaign rather than being in court.

Trump spoke to reporters outside the Manhattan courtroom after the day’s jury selection for his “hush money” trial, one of four separate criminal cases he is facing, and voiced his belief that a fair trial will not be given.

The former president also criticized Judge Juan Merchan for denying his request to attend a Supreme Court hearing next week, arguing that as a former president, he should be immune from criminal prosecution, a matter that the Supreme Court will be considering on April 25.

“The judge is not allowing us to attend,” Trump stated. “He seems to think he is above the Supreme Court.”

Trump has consistently questioned the judge overseeing the trial, with Merchan refusing a request from Trump’s attorneys to step down from the case on Monday, prompting Trump to remark, “We have a serious concern with this judge. He is highly conflicted.”

Trump has denounced the case, brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, as a “political witch hunt,” and expressed his desire to be out campaigning for his 2024 White House bid in states like Georgia, Florida, and North Carolina.

As the first former president to face criminal charges, Trump is accused of falsifying business records by allegedly paying hush money to a porn star just prior to the 2016 presidential election to conceal a 2006 sexual encounter.