Trump Will Likely Face Same Judge Who Handed Down Punishment In His Family Business Tax Fraud Trial: Report

Following the indictment of former President Donald Trump on Thursday in relation to alleged hush money payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, reports have emerged that he is expected to appear before the same judge who presided over his previous trial. New York Judge Juan Merchan will likely oversee the upcoming trial, including Trump’s arraignment on April 4. Merchan was in charge of the case in which the Trump Organization was found guilty on 17 counts, including conspiracy and falsifying business records. In January, Merchan ordered the Trump Organization to pay a fine of $1.6 million for evading taxes by providing gifts and perks to top executives. Former CFO Allen Weisselberg pleaded guilty in the case and testified against the organization.

Trump has taken to social media to voice his concerns over Merchan’s assignment to the upcoming case, claiming that the judge hates him. In response to the indictment, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg confirmed Trump’s surrender to the Manhattan D.A.’s office, saying that he will appear before a Supreme Court indictment, which remains under seal. The announcement of the indictment caused an uproar within the Republican Party, with top House Republicans launching an investigation into Bragg’s prosecution of a former president and candidate as an unprecedented abuse of prosecutorial authority.

Tim Pearce contributed to this report.