On Thursday, Judge Juan Merchan repeatedly found himself verbally battling Trump’s attorney, Todd Blanche. The heated exchanges between the two marks yet another instance of Trump’s legal team finding themselves on the wrong side of judges.
Keep quiet
Things got heated when Judge Merchan denied Trump’s request to dismiss the case. He faces criminal charges stemming from alleged hush money payments he sent to adult film actress Stormy Daniels via his then–fixer, Michael Cohen.
Setting a timeframe
Merchan decided that jury selection for the trial should begin on March 25. Blanche furiously objected to the schedule as “unfathomable.”
Lodging complaints
“We are in the middle of primary season, and it is a different landscape” since the previous hearing, Blanche argued. He claimed the case itself was “completely election interference” and “a discombobulated package of politically motivated charges.”
Told off
While dismissing Blanche’s complaints, Merchan at one point told the lawyer to “stop interrupting me, please.”
Being reasonable
Blanche complained that the schedule put Trump in an “impossible situation.” Merchan dismissed this, reminding Blanche, “You don’t have a trial date in Georgia. You don’t have a trial date in Florida.”
Focus on this situation
“There are multiple parts,” Merchan continued. “We don’t have control over all of those parts.”
Schooling a child
When Blanche continued protesting, Judge Merchan silenced him. “Mr. Blanche,” Merchan said sharply, “please have a seat.”
Media frenzy
Blanche also complained about the “media saturation” surrounding Trump’s multiple trials in New York. However, Merchan dismissed these worries, noting that they were outside of the court’s control and not a valid reason for delaying a critical criminal case. He estimated that the trial would take around six weeks.
Drawing mockery
“Trump has the right to a speedy trial by [a] jury of his peers,” one user on X wrote. “Judge is making sure of it!”
Enjoying the spectacle
“Love when trump ‘lawyers’ get b…tch slapped judge-style,” one X user commented. “Oh the restraint [Merchan] probably had to not say ‘Sit down you TWIT!’” another user wrote.
Once again
“History repeats itself,” one user wrote. “Trumps lawyers need to sit down.” Alina Habba, Trump’s attorney in his second defamation case against writer E. Jean Carroll, battled with the judge over a dozen times in a single hearing, and was widely mocked for making basic mistakes like forgetting to introduce evidence.
Total mess
All in all, Trump faces 91 felony counts across four criminal cases in Washington, Florida, Georgia, and Manhattan. His Florida case involves his alleged retention of classified documents, while the Georgia case involves his alleged attempts to subvert the results of the 2020 election there.
Special case
The criminal case in Manhattan was brought against Trump by Manhattan District Attorney Alving Bragg in 2023. Bragg stated he was “pleased” with Merchan’s schedule and said he was looking forward to the trial.
Unique opportunity
There is significant pressure on officials to conclude the cases against Trump in Washington and Florida, because Trump could shut them down if he returns to the White House. However, the hush money case against the former president is immune from federal intervention. “Mr. Trump would not be able to pardon himself, or otherwise deploy the presidency as a legal shield,” the New York Times explained.
First of many
Merchan’s March 25 date means this case will likely be the first of the four major criminal cases against Trump to go to trial. Bragg had previously indicated that he would allow the Washington case to go first, as it is considered stronger and more important, but Trump has managed to delay it.
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