In a court filing made public Friday, Trump’s attorneys argued that New York Judge Juan Merchan should recuse himself due to his daughter’s politician consulting work, which included in 2020 the Biden campaign and now-Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign. Trump’s lawyers also argued that Merchan’s role in prosecutors’ efforts to secure cooperation from former Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg was grounds for recusal.
A spokesperson for the Manhattan district attorney’s office declined to comment on the filing urging Merchan to recuse, saying the office would respond in court papers. The actual decision to recuse will be up to Merchan. A spokesperson for the New York courts said, “As the case is currently pending in-front of Judge Merchan, it would be inappropriate for any further comment.