Former President Donald Trump traveled to New York earlier this week to face charges arising from an alleged payoff to adult film star Stormy Daniels.
While many conservatives have accused Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg of acting for political reasons, newly uncovered facts about Trump's judge may raise additional questions.
Newsweek cited Federal Elections Commission (FEC) records showing that New York Judge Juan Manuel Merchan made political donations through ActBlue.
ActBlue is a left-wing fundraising platform which works on behalf of such organizations as Black Lives Matter and the Planned Parenthood Action Fund.
Merchan's donations came in 2020 and went to a political action committee called Stop Republicans while another was made to the Progressive Turnout Project, an organization devoted to mobilizing Democratic voters.
What's more, the judge also made a direct contribution to President Joe Biden's campaign. Biden and Trump squared off against one another in the 2020 presidential election.
BREAKING: New York state election records show Juan Merchan, the judge expected to preside over the Trump case, has donated to Democrat and Cuomo-appointed judge Rolando Acosta, the top judge on the appeals court
— Paul Sperry (@paulsperry_) March 31, 2023
The information has led some conservatives to suggest that Merchan cannot be permitted to preside over the former president's trial.
One of them is Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, who told Fox News on Wednesday, "I would not be surprised if there's a motion to disqualify this judge."
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody (R) blasts Juan Merchan, the judge presiding over Donald Trump’s criminal case:
“I would not be surprised … if there’s a motion to disqualify this judge. There’s some indication that his daughter had worked for Kamala Harris.” pic.twitter.com/7LLNb4q8Wh
— The Recount (@therecount) April 5, 2023
Meanwhile, Townhall contributor Mia Cathell highlighted links between Merchan's daughter and Vice President Kamala Harris' 2020 Democratic primary campaign.
Judge Merchan's daughter, Loren, previously worked for Kamala Harris's 2020 presidential campaign as "Director of Digital Persuasion," according to her deleted LinkedIn page, which listed her pronouns. pic.twitter.com/e113tWPQ3G
— Mia Cathell (@MiaCathell) April 4, 2023
Trump has himself cast doubt on Merchan's impartiality. In a Truth Social post, Trump called Merchan a "highly partisan" judge who "hates" him.
Trump attacking the judge hours before the arraignment pic.twitter.com/huV784ecBb
— Steve Lookner (@lookner) April 4, 2023
