'Sham trial': Trump's hush money trial judge Juan Merchan draws flak as he agrees to include implicit bias reminder in jury instructions

WASHINGTON, DC: Judge Juan Merchan granted the defense's request to add a further reminder to Donald Trump's hush money trial jury that there should be no 'implicit bias' against him during their deliberations, stated The Hill.

On Tuesday, May 21, Merchan also rejected Trump's suggestion to include a statement implying that, at certain moments during the hush money conversations, he was depending on his legal guidance.

Judge Merchan agrees to include additional reminder about implicit bias

Noting that his standard instructions already incorporate such a reminder, Merchan said, "I will include it, although it’s not something I would usually do."

However, the prosecution maintained that the standard instructions were enough. Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass said, "I don’t think that instructing a jury that they should not hold bias against the defendant is necessary."

However, Steinglass succeeded in getting the court to accept changing the defense's suggested wording to something more 'neutral'. Since the parties' written filings have not been made public, the precise language is still unknown.

Judge Merchan suggests arguments by Trump’s lawyers are 'disingenuous'

Towards the conclusion of the day's proceedings on Tuesday, Merchan referred to the 'disingenuous' claims made by Trump's legal team that he followed their advise during the hush money discussions.

Moreover, Trump attorney Emil Bove contended on Tuesday that former National Enquirer editor David Pecker 'opened the door' for Trump to make the claim when he testified about getting legal counsel for himself during the hush money negotiations, despite Merchan's earlier ruling rejecting the idea as a defense.

Merchan told Bove, "My answer hasn’t changed. I find it disingenuous. I’m telling you, my ruling is the jury will not hear that instruction from the bench, nor are you allowed to make that argument."

The judge was unyielding even when Bove retaliated by saying he's "not being disingenuous."

Internet weighs in as Judge Merchan agrees to include additional reminder about implicit bias

People on the internet chimed in with their views and opinions as Judge Merchan agreed to include an additional reminder about implicit bias.

A user posted on X, "Like that instruction will hold any weight," while one added, "So the defense went one for a hundred in their legally sound and factual requests? Sham trial."

Another online comment read, "They have no case that is true! Political persecution! You have my support President Trump!" while someone else stated, "To put a Former President through this is unconstitutional!"

A user wrote, "Someone on Trumps team needs to investigate this Judge! They’ve (the prosecutors) have something on him and they are holding it over his head!" while one added, "I have a question. Why is there no retribution for a crooked judge? This judge is clearly biased, making decisions that dont follow legal precedent. Its frightening."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.