Judge Presiding Over Trump Cases Donates to Democratic Political Campaigns, Raising Questions About Judicial Impartiality

A New York State judge who presided over former President Donald Trump’s arraignment and the recent criminal tax fraud trial involving the Trump Organization has donated $35 to Democratic political campaigns in 2020, including a $15 contribution to President Joe Biden’s campaign.

According to federal election records, Judge Juan Merchan made the three donations in July 2020 through ActBlue, an online fundraising platform for Democratic candidates. The records show a Juan Merchan, who lists his occupation as a judge with the New York State Office of Court Administration, donated $15 earmarked for Biden for President, Biden’s campaign committee, on July 26, 2020.

The donations have raised questions about Merchan’s impartiality as he has come under attack by the former president as a “Trump-hating judge.” Elie Honig, a senior CNN legal analyst and former federal prosecutor, said, “While the amounts here are minimal, it’s surprising that a sitting judge would make political donations of any size to a partisan candidate or cause.”

The donations have sparked debate over the propriety of a judge making political contributions while presiding over a case involving a political figure. The New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct, which investigates allegations of judicial misconduct, has yet to comment on the donations.

The donations have also raised questions about the impartiality of the judicial system. While the donations are small, they have the potential to undermine public confidence in the integrity of the judicial system. It is important that judges remain impartial and unbiased in their rulings, and any political donations could be seen as a conflict of interest.