In a clear example of judicial overreach, New York Judge Juan Merchan has doubled down on his decision to silence former President Donald Trump in an ongoing business records case. This blatant act of censorship, targeting only Trump, is part of a dispute involving allegations by Democrat District Attorney Alvin Bragg that Trump misreported business figures.
Merchan’s bias is palpable as he refuses to recuse himself from the case despite his daughter’s active involvement in Democratic fundraising activities. This conflict of interest raises serious questions about the impartiality of the court proceedings and the fairness of the trial.
“The Washington Examiner said Merchan, who refused to leave the case even though his daughter is a Democrat activist who reportedly has been fundraising millions off her father’s decisions, sided with prosecutors who claimed Trump spoke when he wasn’t allowed to speak.”
In an audacious move, Merchan has not only imposed a gag order on Trump but also fined him $9,000 for allegedly violating it. The judge seems determined to muzzle Trump’s ability to defend himself publicly against these politically charged allegations. The fact that prosecutors and witnesses are free to make any claim they desire about Trump while he is ordered not to say anything about them or about Bragg smacks of partisan injustice.
It’s worth noting that Bragg’s case relies heavily on the testimony of Michael Cohen, a discredited ex-lawyer who was sentenced to three years in prison for fraud and lying to Congress. Yet despite this dubious source, Trump faces 34 felony counts related to reimbursing Cohen for hush money payments made to Stormy Daniels.
Trump has rightly called out this “unconstitutional” gag order and has taken to social media to voice his protest. He has also challenged Merchan publicly to lift the gag order, asserting his constitutional right to free speech. It’s clear that if this right is not granted, the 2024 elections could be compromised.
What we are witnessing here is a blatant attempt by Democrats to use “lawfare” against Trump in an effort to derail his potential 2024 candidacy. The judge’s ruling, which prevents Trump from commenting on the constitutionality of the counts and the reason for the case, is seen by critics as part of this political strategy.
Source: Conservative Firing Line