Former President Donald Trump has taken to social media to attack the daughter of the judge overseeing his upcoming criminal trial in New York for the second time in two days. In a post on Truth Social, Trump called for Acting New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan to recuse himself from the April 15 trial, claiming that Merchan’s daughter is a “rabid Trump hater.” This follows previous attacks on Merchan and his daughter earlier in the week, where Trump accused Merchan of prejudice and imposed an illegal gag order on him.
Trump’s repeated attacks on Merchan and his family have raised concerns about the safety and fairness of the trial. U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton, who has handled cases related to the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol attack, emphasized the importance of judges remaining impartial and ensuring a fair adjudication for all parties involved. Walton also noted that judges and their families should not be targeted or threatened, as it undermines the rule of law.
Trump’s history of attacking judges overseeing his cases has sparked controversy and threats of violence. Last November, Trump targeted the judge and staff of a New York City court where his civil fraud trial took place, leading to a wave of physical threats and hateful messages. Walton highlighted the responsibility of individuals in positions of authority to be cautious with their statements, as they can have a significant impact on others and potentially incite harm or violence.
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