Donald Trump has accused Judge Juan Merchan, who oversaw the president-elect's hush money trial, of being "corrupt" ahead of his sentencing this week.
Newsweek has contacted the Trump transition team, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office, and Merchan's office for comment via email outside of regular working hours.
Why It Matters
Trump is still under a gag order imposed during the trial, and his social media posts could impact sentencing, though he is allowed to criticize Merchan as well as the hush money case against him. Trump is set to be the first convicted felon to serve in the White House.
What to Know
Trump is set to be sentenced for his 34-count felony conviction for falsifying business records on January 10. Merchan has indicated he will not hand down a custodial sentence on the incoming president.
Trump was found guilty in May of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records over allegations that he instructed his then-lawyer, Michael Cohen, to pay adult film star Stormy Daniels $130,000 to keep an alleged affair between her and Trump a secret ahead of the 2016 election. The money was listed in Trump's company records as legal fees.
Trump has denied the charges and sought to have the case dismissed in the wake of the Supreme Court's immunity ruling.
Trump was supposed to be sentenced in July, but his hearing was delayed until after the 2024 presidential election. His victory put the case in limbo, with Merchan initially postponing his sentencing.
In a Sunday post on Truth Social, Trump accused Merchan of being "corrupt" and "conflicted." Trump alleged that Bragg, who brought the charges against the president-elect, was "forced" to do so by the Joe Biden administration.
There is no evidence that President Joe Biden, his administration, or the Department of Justice played a role in launching Bragg's case.
Merchan has said that an unconditional discharge—meaning Trump would be immediately released following sentencing but the record of his conviction would remain on record—could be the most "viable solution."
Trump was placed under a gag order by Merchan to prevent the president-elect from making public comments about court staff, jurors, potential witnesses, and others during his New York trial.
Trump was previously fined a total of $10,000 and held in criminal contempt for violating the gag order.
What People Are Saying
President-elect Donald Trump in a Sunday Truth Social post: "[...]Ultimately, the Biden/Harris DOJ forced Bragg to concoct anything to embarrass TRUMP. But it was even more so what the corrupt and totally conflicted political hack judge did, and is doing, on this sham trial. I even have, STILL, an unconstitutional gag order where I am not allowed to speak about the judge's highly disqualifying conflicts of interest.
"Virtually every legal scholar and pundit says there is no (ZERO!) case against me. The judge fabricated the facts, and the law, no different than the other New York judicial and prosecutorial witch hunts. That's why businesses are fleeing New York, taking with them millions of jobs and billions of dollars in taxes. The legal system is broken, and businesses can't take a chance on getting caught up in this quicksand. It's all rigged in this case against a political opponent, ME!!!"
Judge Juan Merchan in a January 3 ruling: "While this court, as a matter of law, must not make any determination on sentencing prior to giving the parties and defendant an opportunity to be heard, it seems proper at this juncture to make known the court's inclination to not impose any sentence of incarceration. This sentence is authorized by the conviction but one the people concede they no longer view as a practicable recommendation.
"As such, in balancing the aforementioned considerations in conjunction with the underlying concerns of the presidential immunity doctrine, a sentence of unconditional discharge appears to be the most viable solution to ensure finality and allow the defendant to pursue his appellate options."
Steven Cheung, Trump's incoming White House communications director, in a January 3 statement: "Today's order by the deeply conflicted acting Justice Merchan in the Manhattan DA witch hunt is a direct violation of the Supreme Court's immunity decision and the Constitution demands that it be immediately dismissed. There should be no sentencing, and President Trump will continue fighting against these hoaxes until they are all dead."
Democratic political commentator Harry Sisson posted on X, formerly Twitter, on January 3: "Thank you, Judge Merchan, for upholding the rule of law!"
What Happens Next
Merchan has ordered Trump to appear either in person in New York or virtually for the January 10 sentencing. Trump may attempt to appeal the conviction following the hearing.
Trump will not be able to pardon himself from the hush money conviction once he enters office, as this is a state, not a federal, case.
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