Trump claims New York ‘trying to steal the election’ after judge rejects repeated calls for recusal

Former President Donald Trump railed against the New York judge from his hush money case, and claimed the Empire State is “trying to steal the election.”

State Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan refused to recuse himself Wednesday for the third time from the criminal hush money case ahead of its September sentencing hearing. Mr. Trump was convicted of 34 felony counts of falsified business records in late May by a jury in connection to payments to porn star Stormy Daniels. Judge Merchan oversaw the case.

“Judge Merchan just ruled that I, the Republican candidate for President, and leading in the Polls, am still under a Gag Order concerning very important things which must be brought to light. I am not allowed to answer reporters questions,” he wrote on Truth Social Wednesday, partially in all capital letters.

“Can you believe this?” he wrote.

The issue of Mr. Trump’s gag order was not part of the recusal decision. An appeals court earlier this month upheld the partial gag order that stops him from publicly talking about lawyers, court staffers and the families of those on the case, including Judge Merchan’s daughter.

“The New York Courts refuse to act. This is happening right before the voting begins on Sept. 6. Suppression and manipulation of the vote. Voter interference,” Mr. Trump said in the post. “This is the real Fascist ‘stuff,’ the old Soviet Union! So much to say, and I’m not allowed to say it.”

“Must get U.S. Supreme Court involved. New York is trying to steal the Election!” he said.

Mr. Trump’s lawyers have argued that Judge Merchan has a conflict of interest with the case because his daughter, Loren Merchan, works as a Democratic political consultant, including for Vice President Kamala Harris when she was running for the Democratic nomination in 2020.

The lawyers said the issue is more important than ever because Ms. Harris is now the Democratic presidential nominee and Mr. Trump’s opponent.

Judge Merchan rejected the lawyers’ argument, saying an ethics board looked into the matter and felt he was qualified to preside over the case.

“The court now reiterates for the third time, that which should be already clear — innuendo and mischaracterization do not a conflict create. Recusal is therefore not necessary, much less required,” the judge wrote. “As has been the standard throughout the pendency of this case, this court will continue to base its rulings on the evidence and the law, without fear or favor, casting aside undue influence.”

He scolded the former president’s legal team, saying that this is the third recusal attempt despite no new evidence being provided.

Mr. Trump faces up to four years in prison at his sentencing on Sept. 18. He maintains that he has done nothing wrong and has never had a sexual encounter with Ms. Daniels.