According to Senior CNN Legal Analyst Elie Hohn, Judge Juan Merchan should have stepped down from the case following revelations of his past donation to President Joe Biden’s campaign.
Manhattan jurors found Trump guilty on 34 charges related to a payment made to Stormy Daniels during the 2016 election. Trump maintains his innocence and plans to appeal the verdict before his scheduled July 11 sentencing.
Merchan faced criticism from Trump and supporters for alleged bias against the former president, especially after it was discovered he donated a total of $35 to ActBlue during the 2020 election, including $10 to the “Stop Republicans” group.
CNN’s Jake Tapper, an attorney, questioned if Merchan’s donations could lead to a challenge of the ruling by Trump. Legal expert Honig suggested that Merchan should have recused himself as judges must avoid any financial ties, regardless of the amount.
Though Merchan’s political donations don’t mandate reversal, the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct cautioned him over violating ethical standards that forbid judges from political contributions, as reported by The New York Times.
Despite a complaint filed and dismissed against Merchan in July 2023, the ethics committee advised him to remain impartial. The Commission noted several judges statewide had also made prohibited modest donations, prompting concerns over ethical breaches.
On allowing Merchan to preside over Trump’s case, Honig criticized the Ethics Board for issuing a vague opinion citing the time elapsed and donation size, questioning its relevance in determining Merchan’s suitability.