Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz didn’t hold back when calling out “corrupt” Judge Juan Merchan, who is presiding over Donald Trump’s criminal trial in New York City, where the former president is accused of making illegal campaign expenditures to adult film star Stormy Daniels.
During a Thursday news conference outside of the Manhattan Criminal Court, the Republican Congressman said, “We would be remiss if we did not mention this corrupt judge.”
Gaetz also highlighted the political conflicts of interest within Merchan’s own family.
“This judge whose own family is making six figures off of Democrat politics, that continues to gaslight the country, that there’s some sort of crime committed by President Trump,” Gaetz continued.
“This is a made-up crime. No other American in the country would be charged with this type of crime.”
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.@RepMattGaetz on Trump Hush Money Trial: "This is a made up crime. No other American in the country would be charged with this type of crime." pic.twitter.com/4LjjdWE1pE
— CSPAN (@cspan) May 16, 2024
The New York Post reported that Merchan’s daughter, Loren Merchan, is the president of the liberal political consulting firm Authentic Campaigns.
The organization has collected over $15 million from a political action committee connected to Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.
According to fundraising emails from Adam Schiff, the lead prosecutor in Trump’s first impeachment, the Loren Merchan-led consulting firm used Trump’s indictment to elicit donations.
“It is a somber moment, and unprecedented for a former president to be indicted, but his alleged offenses are also unprecedented,” the fundraising email read, according to the New York Post.
“Trump will respond as he always does — playing the victim and blaming others for having the temerity to investigate him in the first place.”
Trump’s team argues this is proof of a clear conflict of interest.
“Authentic Campaigns, and thus the judge’s daughter, is actively making money from this sham attack against President Trump, rendering Judge Merchan conflicted out,” Trump spokesman Steven Cheun said.
I’ll always stand with President Trump! pic.twitter.com/jp3QZBA8Ti
— Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) May 16, 2024
The charges against Trump have been brought about by Soros’s puppet, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.
Gaetz also questioned the integrity of former Trump confidante Michael Cohen, who is testifying in the ongoing trial.
“There is literally no branch of government that Michael Cohen has not lied to,” Gaetz said.
Gaetz also highlighted the gag orders from Merchan barring Trump from criticizing his rulings.
Merchan had previously cracked down on Trump’s personal demeanor during a testimony by Daniels.
The judge demanded that Trump’s defense attorney, Todd Blanche, correct his client after the former president reportedly cursed during proceedings.
READ: Gaetz Tells Bud Light Joke to Leftist Reporter, Gets Unexpected Response
