He president-elect of the United States, Donald Trumplaunched this Friday harsh criticism against the judge Juan Merchanwhom he accused of carrying out a “illegitimate political attack” in relation to his sentencing scheduled for January 10.
On this date, Trump must hear the sentence for the case of alleged bribery to Stephanie Cliffordknown as Stormy Danielsformer adult film actress. Trump used his social network, Truth Socialto criticize the judge’s management Merchant and described the judicial process as a “rigged farce.”
“The ‘acting’ judge Merchanwho is a radical partisan, just issued another order that is knowingly illegal, against our Constitution, and if allowed to standit would be the end of the Presidency as we know it,” he wrote.
The Republican magnate also questioned a gag order imposed by the judge, calling it unconstitutional and a violation of his right to defend himself publicly.
“I am the only political opponent in American history who is not allowed to defend himself – a despicable violation of the First Amendment!”he stated Trumpreferring to the protection of free speech guaranteed by the United States Constitution.
Finally, Trump called for an end to what he called “Lawfare”a term he uses to describe legal processes he considers politicized: “This has to stop. It is time to end Lawfare once and for all, so we can unite as one nation.”
The judge Merchant ordered that Trump appear on January 10 to hear the sentence, although he stressed in court documents that, despite the conviction, Trump will not face immediate legal sanctions.
Nevertheless, the president-elect can still appeal any conviction. The Prosecutor’s Officefor my part, decline to comment on the ruling.
The case dates back to a $130,000 payment made to Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign, allegedly to silence an alleged extramarital relationship.
Trump He was accused in April 2023 of 34 counts of document falsification, in a process that was marked by intense legal maneuvers between his lawyers and the American justice system.
The judge Merchant determined that the immunity granted to former presidents by the Supreme Courtwhich protects against prosecution for official acts, does not apply in this case, since the events in question are related to the magnate’s private activities.
Conviction on charges of document falsification could lead to up to four years in prison. However, there is the possibility of choosing alternatives to imprisonmentsuch as probation or the payment of fines.
The failure of Merchant occurs shortly after Trump will win the presidential elections in November 2024. The elected president He will take office on January 20, just ten days before his sentence is issued.
(With information from Europa Press and AFP)
