Staff Reports
The legal circus continues in the ongoing saga of Judge Juan Merchan and President-elect Donald Trump, as the judge firmly rejected Trump’s request to wash away his hush money conviction. In a move that many find suspiciously convenient, Merchan claims that the conviction is as sturdy as a concrete bunker, especially in light of the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling concerning presidential immunity. One might wonder if Merchan left his crystal ball at home when he made such judgments during the presidential proceedings of the year.
After voters decisively sent Trump back to the White House, one would think the legal battles might take a backseat. Instead, this New York judge seems determined to keep the heat on the former president, who now carries the title of felon thanks to a jury that was likely instructed by Merchan himself. The judge’s refusal to dismiss the case outright suggests there isn’t a single agenda at play—perhaps he misinterprets his role as a referee instead of a biased player in this legal game.
🚨NEW: New York Judge Juan Merchan has rejected Donald Trump’s appeal to overturn his felony convictions in his hush money trial.
RETWEET to thank Judge Merchan for holding Donald Trump accountable! pic.twitter.com/OWMz7DD0bQ
— Protect Kamala Harris ✊ (@DisavowTrump20) December 17, 2024
In the midst of this, Trump’s legal team has been battling like gladiators in the arena, arguing that evidence presented during the grueling seven-week trial was indeed shielded by the illustrious presidential immunity. While the judge hasn’t yet ruled on whether to entirely dismiss the case due to Trump’s recent election victory, the tension is as thick as a New York bagel on a Sunday morning. The antics of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg aren’t making things any easier. He’s been adamant about dragging this case along, even proposing to pause proceedings during Trump’s presidency—because who wouldn’t want to sit on a blockbuster trial during the most watched term in recent history?
Meanwhile, some hopeful voices in the conservative blogosphere are keeping an eye on possible loopholes. It seems the ruling only focuses on the narrow aspect of presidential immunity, opening the door for potential dismissal of the entire case given Trump’s electoral success. Susie Moore from RedState emphasizes that this ruling doesn’t close the book entirely on the current litigation; the ultimate issue of sentencing still lurks ominously in the background. It’s almost as if the judge is feigning patience while the courtroom drama unfolds like a cheap soap opera.
Merchan’s notoriety seems to build day by day, whether it’s concerns about potential conflicts of interest stemming from his daughter or his insistence on jury instructions that seemingly guaranteed a guilty verdict on all 34 counts. In a particularly ironic twist, the very institution that should assure public confidence—the justice system—bears the brunt of scrutiny, especially when the DA’s office argues that dismissing charges after a trial simply because the defendant wins an election would be catastrophic for perceptions of fairness. Yet, one must ask: is it really about justice, or has it morphed into a vendetta driven by political ambition?
As Trump navigates through the tangled web spun by Bragg and others, the charges seem less about upholding the law and more about political theater. Trump’s indictment last spring on a whopping 34 charges—a choice to pursue felonies when misdemeanors would suffice, utilizing untested legal theories long after the statute of limitations had expired—smacks of desperation. The constant barrage of litigation seems less like a judicial process and more like a determined effort to keep him from holding office again. This ongoing drama ensures that no matter what happens in the election, Trump remains at the forefront of political headlines, all thanks to a judiciary that seems ready to play its part in a saga fit for a reality TV series.
