'Such double standard': Internet slams Trump's trial judge Juan Merchan as he gets rebuked for donations to Democrat-aligned groups in 2020

WASHINGTON, DC: A state ethics body has issued a warning to the judge presiding over Donald Trump's hush-money campaign finance trial in New York for two modest contributions he made to Democratic organizations in 2020, according to the Guardian.

Notably, the warning will probably be seized upon by Trump and his attorneys as proof of his accusations that Judge Juan Merchan unjustly decided the New York trial along partisan political lines. The trial is currently in its fourth week.

Judge Juan Merchan gets rebuked for donations to Democrat-aligned groups

The identity of the person who filed the complaint against Merchan, which is related to a $35 gift to ActBlue, a Democratic organization, which contained $15 designated for Biden for President and $10 each for Progressive Turnout Project and Stop Republicans, has not been disclosed by the New York state commission on judicial behavior.

In answer to a question from Reuters, State Office of Court Administration spokeswoman Al Baker stated, "Justice Merchan said the complaint, from more than a year ago, was dismissed in July with a caution."

Notably, contributions, in the commission's opinion, are against the laws banning certain forms of political participation. The organization stated in its annual report for 2024 that a number of judges—mostly those running for federal office—seem to have made banned contributions in the previous several years.

Moreover, it is against the law for judges to donate to any campaign, including those seeking federal office.

The commission wrote in the report, "Like so much of the misconduct the commission encounters, making a prohibited political contribution is a self-inflicted mistake."

A complaint against Manhattan judge Arthur Engoron, who presided over the former president's civil business fraud prosecution that yielded a $454 million punishment earlier this year, has also been forwarded to the commission. The Trump attorneys filed the case, which has not yet been decided.

Internet rebukes Juan Merchan for donations to Democrat-aligned groups

Many people on the internet trolled Judge Merchan as a state ethics body issued a warning to him for two modest contributions he made to Democratic organizations in 2020.

A user wrote on X, "Such double standard; perhaps their should be an ethics investigation and subsequent oversight of Justice's Alito and Thomas. They are blatently partisan" while one added, "Judges should not donate to any politicians or causes. On the other hand, it’s how you get the prime judicial appointments."

A person also stated, "I’m not sure why any judge would advertise their political leanings. It’s not a game changer but it muddies the water" whereas one mentioned, "What about the gifts received by some Supreme Court justices which surely total much more than $35???"

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.