Donald Trump’s recent legal maneuver to seek the recusal of New York Judge Juan Merchan in his ongoing criminal hush money case has stirred significant commentary among legal experts. These experts suggest that this action indicates a level of concern within Trump’s camp, potentially signaling that the former president feels cornered by his legal challenges.
On Monday, Trump’s legal team filed a notice expressing their intention to demand Judge Merchan’s recusal, a move that has been interpreted by some as an indication of Trump’s increasing desperation. Bennett Gershman, a law professor at Pace University with a background as a New York prosecutor, shared his insights with Salon, characterizing Trump’s actions as those of someone “running scared”, told Salon.
Gershman highlighted the gravity of Trump’s situation, pointing out that he is currently facing four major criminal trials, each posing a significant threat to his freedom. This comes on the heels of two recent civil trials that have already exacted a heavy toll on Trump, both financially and reputationally.
Gershman also expressed his support for the gag order issued by Judge Merchan, which was further tightened last week. He argued that without such an order, Trump might escalate his use of what Gershman termed “violent rhetoric.” He cited a recent incident where Trump posted a controversial clip involving President Joe Biden, which Gershman believes surpasses the bounds of protected political speech by veering into the realm of harmful threats.
The call for Judge Merchan’s recusal, according to Gershman, is based on arguments that he finds overly broad and speculative, particularly the insinuation that Merchan’s daughter could unduly influence the judge’s decisions. Gershman dismissed this line of reasoning as untenable, suggesting that if such a standard were applied universally, it would disqualify virtually every judge in the United States, including members of the Supreme Court.
Gershman did not hold back in his critique of Trump’s legal strategies, labeling them as “frivolous” and “harebrained.” He views these tactics as part of a broader effort by Trump’s legal team to delay the inevitable legal reckoning that Trump faces.
Trump is currently embroiled in a legal battle over 34 counts of falsifying business records, which prosecutors allege were part of an effort to conceal hush money payments made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels in the lead-up to the 2016 presidential election. Trump has pleaded not guilty to these charges, but the strategies employed by his legal team, including the recent push for Judge Merchan’s recusal, reflect the high stakes and the intense scrutiny surrounding this case.
