Former President Donald Trump is facing setbacks in multiple legal battles, including a criminal case in New York. He has sought to delay the start of the trial by suing the judge just one week before jury selection is scheduled to begin. Trump asked an appellate court for a change of venue in the case and for a stay of a gag order that prevents him from publicly commenting on the judge’s daughter, who works for a Democrat-aligned consulting firm. The trial has been delayed previously due to evidence being turned over late after Trump’s lawyers subpoenaed the federal Department of Justice for documents related to the case.
Trump’s lawyers have argued that he cannot get a fair trial in Manhattan, citing a survey they commissioned of 2,000 New Yorkers which showed Trump’s favorability is higher among residents outside New York City. Trump has also been vocal about his opposition to the gag order which prevents him from making social media posts claiming bias from the judge due to his daughter’s work. Trump has twice sought the judge’s recusal from the case, but this effort was rejected in 2023 when a state ethics panel review concluded that the judge was not ethically compromised.
The trial has faced delays and controversy, with Trump’s legal team blaming Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg for issues related to evidence turnover. However, Judge Juan Merchan denied Trump’s request to further delay the trial during a hearing on March 25. Trump’s lawyers have been actively trying to change the venue of the trial citing concerns about a fair trial in Manhattan. Despite these efforts, the trial is still scheduled to proceed and the judge has rejected previous requests for recusal citing ethical considerations.
Trump’s legal challenges also include a gag order that prevents him from publicly commenting on various aspects of the case, including the judge’s daughter’s affiliation with a Democrat-aligned consulting firm. Trump has been vocal about his opposition to the gag order, which has prevented him from making social media posts claiming bias from the judge. The ongoing legal battles have generated significant controversy and attention, with Trump’s legal team facing setbacks in their efforts to delay or change the course of the trial.
Overall, Trump is facing multiple legal challenges, including the upcoming trial in New York where he is seeking to delay the proceedings. Despite his efforts to change the venue of the trial and lift the gag order, the judge has denied these requests and the trial is still scheduled to proceed. Trump’s legal team has faced setbacks in their attempts to delay or change the course of the trial, but the former president continues to push back against the legal proceedings. The outcome of these legal battles remains uncertain, but it is clear that Trump is facing significant challenges in the courtroom.
