Former President Donald Trump called for New York judge Juan Merchan to dismiss the current criminal trial against him during comments made earlier this week. The former president’s comments came as the court heard testimony from a defense witness that could have significant implications for the proceedings.
Trump said that the case “should be dropped by the judge.” He added that if Merchan dismissed the case, he could “gain the respect back.”
“The appellate court has to step in, something has to happen. Think of it, the Republican Party, one of the two great parties, nominates somebody to be their candidate. And that candidate now has been sitting here for almost five weeks in a freezing cold icebox listening to this stuff,” Trump said.
🚨TRUMP: “Hopefully the motion to dismiss this trial will go through because this trial is a disaster for our country..We did nothing wrong—My crime is I beat Hillary Clinton.” pic.twitter.com/9RjeoWD898
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) May 20, 2024
The former president added that he thought that the case was “going very well” and that his legal team moved to dismiss it.
“ It should be terminated right now and New York State has to build up its system again. New York State can’t let this happen. We can’t let this happen,” Trump said.
“There were no crimes. We did nothing wrong. And I want to get back to campaigning,” he added.
“I’m representing millions and millions, hundreds of millions of people,” said Trump.
The Trump legal team’s motion for dismissal argues that there has been no evidence presented yet that shows that Trump’s business records or filings were false in relation to the case.
The current case brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg (D) revolves around the aftermath of an alleged short relationship between the former president and former adult film actress Stormy Daniels. Trump denies any wrongdoing in the case.
Trump’s comments also came after the judge accused him of violating the gag order set against him several times. Merchan’s order barred Trump from criticizing the jury, court officials or prosecution during the case. Trump was fined for the alleged infractions.
The former president alleges that the judge’s order violates his First Amendment right to self-expression.
