NY judge rejects Trump’s demand to step aside in hush money criminal case

By Diyar Guldogan

WASHINGTON (AA) - A New York judge declined former US President Donald Trump's latest request to step aside in his hush money case.

It is the third time that Judge Juan M. Merchan rejected the request from lawyers for the Republican presidential nominee, whose sentencing hearing is set for Sept. 18.

"Stated plainly, Defendant's arguments are nothing more than a repetition of stale and unsubstantiated claims," Merchan wrote in his ruling. "Defendant has provided nothing new for this Court to consider.”

Trump's lawyers argued that Merchan should step aside because his daughter's work as a political consultant for Democratic clients -- including US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris -- presented a conflict of interest for the judge.

Merchan, however, refused the accusations, saying: "This Court now reiterates for the third time, that which should already be clear – innuendo and mischaracterizations do not a conflict create. Recusal is therefore not necessary, much less required."

Trump was convicted in May on 34 felony counts related to hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign.

He is the first former US president to be convicted of felony criminal charges.