- Date
- Aug 11, 2023
- Act
- Denied first recusal motion (daughter / donations / prior Trump Org case)
- Who was hit
- Trump defense / recusal bid in Ind. 71543-23
- Higher court
- Trial-court denial stood for this spine (no vacatur PDF here)
- Ethics hook
- He sought Advisory Committee guidance, then ruled on his own recusal
Juan M. Merchan
Acting Justice, New York Supreme Court, New York County Criminal Term · case-file commentary · primary sources
Power box
- Office
- Acting Justice, New York Supreme Court, New York County, Criminal Term; Judge of the Court of Claims
- Appointed
- Acting Supreme Court Justice (directory: 2009–); Court of Claims terms under Govs. Paterson and Cuomo (directory extract)
- Years
- NYC Family Court Bronx 2006–2015 · Acting Supreme / Court of Claims 2009– · People v. Trump 71543/2023
- Strongest official act
- Mar 26 / Apr 1, 2024 — Decision and Orders restricting Trump’s extrajudicial statements, then amending to cover family members of the Court and the District Attorney (Ind. 71543-23)
- Who reversed him
- No vacatur of these spine orders located for this file. Later appellate / immunity tracks are Claims unless a primary disposition PDF is on the page.
- Softest / hardest
- Hard = gag + family expansion; omnibus denial keeping 34 felony counts. Soft landing not the spine here.
- Recusal status
- Denied first motion Aug 11, 2023 (signed order + 2023 NY Slip Op 51485(U)). Later denials reported; third denial not hosted as nycourts.gov PDF here.
- Impeachment / complaints
- NY state judge — no House articles. Stefanik / ethics complaints = allegations. Advisory Opinion 23-54 does not name him.
- Last checked
- Sep 9, 2026 (MT)
- Promise
- Every Fact sentence has a primary PDF or official record
Quick file
- Office: Acting Justice, New York Supreme Court, New York County, Criminal Term; Court of Claims judge.
- Docket spine: People v. Donald J. Trump, Indictment No. 71543/2023 (34 counts, Penal Law §175.10) as recited in his Feb 15, 2024 Decision and Order.
- First recusal: denied Aug 11, 2023 (signed order; slip 2023 NY Slip Op 51485(U)).
- Gag: Mar 26, 2024 order; Apr 1, 2024 amendment adding families of the Court and DA.
- Portrait: none — no free-license / U.S. government portrait located; none generated.
- Canonical site: juanmerchan.com (no judge alias).
He denied Trump’s first recusal motion, refused to dismiss Indictment 71543/2023, gagged the defendant and then families of the Court and District Attorney, and kept the Manhattan criminal calendar moving — in signed New York court orders.
Pattern
Thesis the table forces: a county criminal-term judge locking a presidential candidate onto a felony calendar — gag, no indefinite delay, no self-recusal — not umping a private contract fight.
Swipe for all columns →
| Date | Act | Whose policy or party was hit | Higher-court result | Ethics hook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 11, 2023 | Denied first recusal motion (daughter / donations / prior Trump Org case) | Trump defense / recusal bid in Ind. 71543-23 | Trial-court denial stood for this spine (no vacatur PDF here) | He sought Advisory Committee guidance, then ruled on his own recusal |
| Feb 15, 2024 | Omnibus Decision and Order: denied dismissal branches; recited 34 counts PL §175.10 | Trump / motion to kill the indictment | Trial-court denial (appeal tracks separate) | Kept the presidential-candidate felony case alive on paper |
| Mar 26, 2024 | Gag: Decision and Order restricting extrajudicial statements; same day denied motion to vacate calendar-control filing order | Trump campaign speech / delay tactics on the docket | Trial-court orders (no vacatur located here) | Speech limits + calendar lock on the same docket day |
| Apr 1, 2024 | Amended gag to cover family members of the Court and the District Attorney; juror-name forfeiture warning | Trump speech about families of the judge / DA | Trial-court amendment | Expanded the speech fence to the judge’s and DA’s households |
| Apr 12, 2024 | Denied indefinite adjournment based on pre-trial publicity (“not tenable”) | Trump delay motion on eve of trial | Trial-court denial; trial proceeded | Refused to pause a presidential trial for media heat |
- Date
- Feb 15, 2024
- Act
- Omnibus Decision and Order: denied dismissal branches; recited 34 counts PL §175.10
- Who was hit
- Trump / motion to kill the indictment
- Higher court
- Trial-court denial (appeal tracks separate)
- Ethics hook
- Kept the presidential-candidate felony case alive on paper
- Date
- Mar 26, 2024
- Act
- Gag restricting extrajudicial statements; same day denied motion to vacate calendar-control filing order
- Who was hit
- Trump campaign speech / delay tactics on the docket
- Higher court
- Trial-court orders (no vacatur located here)
- Ethics hook
- Speech limits + calendar lock on the same docket day
- Date
- Apr 1, 2024
- Act
- Amended gag to cover family members of the Court and the District Attorney; juror-name forfeiture warning
- Who was hit
- Trump speech about families of the judge / DA
- Higher court
- Trial-court amendment
- Ethics hook
- Expanded the speech fence to the judge’s and DA’s households
- Date
- Apr 12, 2024
- Act
- Denied indefinite adjournment based on pre-trial publicity (“not tenable”)
- Who was hit
- Trump delay motion on eve of trial
- Higher court
- Trial-court denial; trial proceeded
- Ethics hook
- Refused to pause a presidential trial for media heat
Cases
First recusal denial — 2023 NY Slip Op 51485(U)
What happened
Fact
On August 11, 2023, Justice Juan M. Merchan issued a written Decision denying Donald J. Trump’s motion for recusal. The New York slip cite is 2023 NY Slip Op 51485(U) (Sup. Ct. N.Y. County). A scan of the signed order is archived here. The decision recites that the Court had written the Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics; it denies recusal “on all grounds,” including arguments about a daughter’s political work, prior Trump Organization proceedings, and campaign contributions.
Timeline
Fact
- May 31, 2023 — Defense notice of motion for recusal (Necheles affirmation).
- Jun 14, 2023 — People’s opposition.
- Aug 11, 2023 — Decision: motion denied on all grounds.
Their words
“Defendant has failed to demonstrate that there exists concrete, or even realistic reasons for recusal to be appropriate, much less required on these grounds. The speculative and hypothetical scenarios offered by Defendant fall well short of the legal standard.” Juan M. Merchan, J.S.C., Decision on Defendant’s Motion for Recusal, People v. Trump, Ind. No. 71543-23 (Aug. 11, 2023)
“Defendant’s motion for recusal and for an explanation is Denied on all grounds.” Same order (closing line)
Scope
Fact
A trial-court denial of recusal. Not an appellate holding that no appearance of impropriety could ever exist. Advisory Committee Opinion 23-54 (modest contributions / relative’s political business) does not name Merchan; contemporaneous reporting tied it to this docket.
Higher court
Fact
No vacatur of this August 2023 denial located for this spine.
Commentary
- Primary (signed scan): DocumentCloud PDF · Archive copy · Wayback
- Slip text: 2023 NY Slip Op 51485(U) (Justia)
- Advisory Committee Opinion 23-54 (does not name him): nycourts.gov
Omnibus Decision — Indictment 71543/2023 kept
What happened
Fact
The New York State Unified Court System posted a February 15, 2024 Decision and Order over the name Juan M. Merchan, A.J.S.C. Caption: People of the State of New York against Donald J. Trump, Indictment No. 71543/2023. The decision recites thirty-four counts of Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree, Penal Law §175.10, and decides omnibus motions seeking, among other relief, dismissal. On pre-indictment delay and other dismissal branches addressed in the order, the Court denied the relief sought. Open the PDF for every branch; this page does not invent holdings not on those pages.
Timeline
Fact
- Mar 30, 2023 — Grand-jury indictment date as recited in later court papers.
- Sep 29, 2023 — Defense omnibus motions filed (per the Decision).
- Feb 15, 2024 — Decision and Order posted on nycourts.gov.
Their words
Fact
The caption and signature block identify Juan M. Merchan, A.J.S.C., Indictment No. 71543/2023. Dismissal and related branches are denied in the order’s decretal language. Quote individual holdings from the PDF; do not take a cable chyron as a substitute.
Scope
Fact
A trial-court omnibus ruling keeping the indictment alive. Not a jury verdict. Not an appellate affirmance. Assignment to Part 59 / prior Trump Organization case is reporting context; the docket number on this PDF is the Fact anchor.
Higher court
Fact
No vacatur of this February 15, 2024 Decision located for this spine file.
Commentary
Commentary
Thirty-four felony counts of falsifying business records. A county court. A presidential campaign. He kept the case. The PDF is the proof. You do not need a cable chyron.
- Primary: nycourts.gov PDF · Archive copy
- UCS media advisory context (Part 59, 100 Centre St.): AV24_04.pdf
Gag orders — Mar 26 and Apr 1, 2024
What happened
Fact
On March 26, 2024, Merchan issued a Decision and Order granting the People’s motion to restrict extrajudicial statements by the defendant in Indictment No. 71543-23, directing him to refrain from specified public statements about witnesses, counsel/staff (other than the DA) and their family members, and jurors. On April 1, 2024, he granted clarification: the March 26 order “did not contemplate the family members of this Court or of the District Attorney,” and he amended the order so family members of the Court and the District Attorney are covered. He also put the defendant on notice that continued harassing or disruptive conduct could forfeit any statutory right to access juror names, and warned of Judiciary Law §750(A)(3) / §751 sanctions.
Timeline
Fact
- Feb 22, 2024 — People move for speech restrictions.
- Mar 26, 2024 — Decision and Order: motion granted as specified.
- Mar 28, 2024 — People seek clarification re: families of Court / DA.
- Apr 1, 2024 — Clarification granted; order amended; juror-name forfeiture warning.
Their words
“ORDERED, that the Court’s Order of March 26, 2024, is amended as indicated below. Defendant is directed to refrain from: … (3) the family members of any counsel, staff member, the Court or the District Attorney, if those statements are made with the intent to materially interfere with, or to cause others to materially interfere with, counsel’s or staff’s work in this criminal case, or with the knowledge that such interference is likely to result…” Juan M. Merchan, A.J.S.C., Decision and Order (clarification), People v. Trump, Ind. No. 71543-23 (Apr. 1, 2024)
Scope
Fact
A speech-restriction order on a criminal defendant who was also a presidential candidate, later expanded to cover the judge’s and DA’s families. Not a conviction. Not a finding that every critic of the court is barred from speech. RealClearPolitics commentary on the gag fight stays commentary.
Higher court
Fact
No vacatur of these March 26 / April 1 orders located for this spine file.
Commentary
Commentary
He put a fence around the defendant’s mouth — then widened it to his own household and the DA’s. That is not a private TRO between neighbors. It is a county judge policing campaign speech on a felony calendar with the Republican nominee in the dock. Call the asymmetry what it is in Commentary. Keep “bribe / paid off” off the Fact block.
- Primary (Mar 26): DocumentCloud PDF · Archive copy · Wayback
- Primary (Apr 1): DocumentCloud PDF · Archive copy · Wayback
Motion to vacate calendar order — denied
What happened
Fact
On March 26, 2024 — the same date as the gag Decision — Merchan issued a Decision and Order on Defendant’s motion to vacate the Court’s prior Order on the filing of motions. The official PDF is on nycourts.gov. The Court denied the motion to vacate the March 8, 2024 Order and denied as premature the request to vacate a March 8, 2024 email. The order recounts a firm trial calendar (arraignment Apr 4, 2023; firm date set May 23, 2023; later moved to Apr 15, 2024) and characterizes repeated defense efforts to delay trial.
Timeline
Fact
- May 23, 2023 — Firm trial date set (later moved to Apr 15, 2024) per this Decision.
- Mar 8, 2024 — Order / email on filing of motions (subject of the vacatur bid).
- Mar 26, 2024 — Motion to vacate DENIED.
Their words
“Defendant’s motion to vacate this Court’s Order of March 8, 2024, is DENIED.” Juan M. Merchan, A.J.S.C., Decision and Order on Defendant’s Motion to Vacate, People v. Trump, Ind. No. 71543/2023 (Mar. 26, 2024)
Scope
Fact
Calendar / motion-practice control. Not a merits ruling on presidential immunity. Not a sentencing order.
Higher court
Fact
No vacatur of this March 26 denial located for this spine.
Commentary
Commentary
Same day as the gag. He locked speech and locked the motion calendar. That is a judge running a political felony trial on a clock, not waiting for the inauguration to make the docket moot.
- Primary: nycourts.gov PDF · Archive copy
Pre-trial publicity adjournment — denied
What happened
Fact
On April 12, 2024, Merchan issued a Decision and Order denying the defendant’s motion for further adjournment based on alleged prejudicial pre-trial publicity. The Court wrote that the remedy sought — an indefinite adjournment — was “not tenable,” and that voir dire, not delay, was the proper tool. Trial was then set to proceed.
Timeline
Fact
- Mar 10 / Mar 18, 2024 — Defense pre-motion / motion for adjournment on publicity grounds.
- Apr 1, 2024 — People’s opposition (per the Decision).
- Apr 12, 2024 — Motion DENIED.
- Apr 15, 2024 — Trial period begins (calendar fact from contemporaneous orders / reporting).
Their words
“The remedy that Defendant seeks is an indefinite adjournment. This is not tenable.” Juan M. Merchan, A.J.S.C., Decision and Order on Defendant’s Motion for Further Adjournment Based on Pre-Trial Publicity, People v. Trump, Ind. No. 71543/2023 (Apr. 12, 2024)
Scope
Fact
Refusal of indefinite delay. Not a finding about every media story’s accuracy. Not a gag-order text — separate from the March 26 / April 1 speech orders.
Higher court
Fact
No vacatur of this April 12 denial located for this spine.
Commentary
Commentary
“Not tenable.” Three days before trial. He would not pause a presidential felony case because the cameras were loud. That sentence is the tell. It is also his.
- Primary: nycourts.gov PDF · Archive copy
His words
Fact
Pull-quotes above are from signed orders in the spine. Separately, RealClearPolitics posted a January 10, 2025 video/transcript excerpt attributing sentencing-day remarks that legal protections afforded to the presidency are “extraordinary,” “not the occupant of the office.” Treat RCP as a media transcript excerpt until an official court transcript is hosted here. The Federalist (Jan 3, 2025) quoted an 18-page scheduling ruling setting sentence before January 20, 2025; that quotation is reporting of an order, not a PDF archived on this page.
Commentary
If he wanted the pre-inauguration clock forgotten, he should not have put it on the calendar ten days before the oath. This site still wants the official transcript and the signed scheduling PDF before upgrading sentencing-day lines to hosted Fact exhibits.
Money
Fact
FEC receipts searchable under contributor name Juan Merchan show three 2020 ActBlue items reported by the New York Post and Washington Examiner: $15 earmarked for Biden for President (Jul 26, 2020), then $10 Progressive Turnout Project and $10 Stop Republicans (Jul 27, 2020). Occupation/employer fields in those reports were described as judge / New York State Office of Court Administration. Open FEC.gov for the line items. Opinion 23-54 treated modest contributions totaling less than $50, more than two years old, as not a reasonable basis to question impartiality — without naming Merchan.
Commentary
$35 is small money and a large tell when the same judge later sits on the Republican nominee’s felony case. Keep Schiff disbursements to Authentic / daughter’s firm in Claims — different subject than these FEC receipts.
Claims not found as findings
Filings, reporting, and adjectives — not upgraded to Fact findings on this page.
- January 10, 2025 sentencing / pre-inauguration scheduling Federalist / Daily Wire / RCP reporting of a scheduling order and courtroom remarks. Media transcript ≠ hosted official PDF. Unconditional-discharge cable write-ups not copied as holdings without the primary.
- Second and third recusal denials April 15, 2024 second denial and August 2024 third denial (“innuendo and mischaracterizations do not a conflict create”) are extensively reported. This page does not host signed nycourts.gov PDFs for those two; quotation of the third-denial sentence stays reporting until the official file is archived here.
- Stefanik / House ethics track April 3, 2024 House statement demanding recusal; later campaign complaint PDFs. Allegation / filing ≠ court finding. His written denials are the court record.
- Jordan / Authentic / Schiff disbursements Jim Jordan letter addressing Loren Merchan / Authentic; Kelly and others’ readings of Schiff disbursements. Letters and tweet math ≠ Merchan misconduct finding. Family members are not the officeholder.
- Eisen / “Bragg lawfare team” packaging Tweet-only claim that Norm Eisen said Merchan was “part of” a Bragg lawfare team or ghost-wrote for the judge. No docket that Eisen ghost-wrote Merchan orders. Keep off Fact.
- Gateway Pundit / Ingrassia “ignored SCOTUS” Commentary on a December 2024 court order after Trump v. United States. A court order is Fact when hosted; “defied the Supreme Court / Constitution” is not this site’s Fact line.
- Compiler Opinion adjectives Labeled Commentary may say he is scum and criticize public figures. Do not write a Schiff conviction, indictment, or crime as Fact. No invented docket.
See also
- jamesboasberg.com — D.D.C. chief; AEA freeze / Clinesmith / FISC spine (v1.5 template)
- berylhowell.com — senior D.D.C.; Twitter warrant / Perry / Wilcox
- totetray.com — network index
Sources
- Merchan, J. Decision on Defendant’s Motion for Recusal, People v. Trump, Ind. No. 71543-23 (Aug 11, 2023). Primary: PDF · Archive copy · Wayback
- People v. Trump, 2023 NY Slip Op 51485(U) (Justia text). law.justia.com
- Merchan, A.J.S.C. Decision and Order (omnibus), People v. Trump, Indictment No. 71543/2023 (Feb 15, 2024). Primary: PDF · Archive copy
- Merchan, A.J.S.C. Decision and Order restricting extrajudicial statements (Mar 26, 2024). Primary: PDF · Archive copy · Wayback
- Merchan, A.J.S.C. Decision and Order (gag clarification / family amendment) (Apr 1, 2024). Primary: PDF · Archive copy · Wayback
- Merchan, A.J.S.C. Decision and Order on motion to vacate (Mar 26, 2024). Primary: PDF · Archive copy
- Merchan, A.J.S.C. Decision and Order on pre-trial publicity adjournment (Apr 12, 2024). Primary: PDF · Archive copy
- Jury-selection letterhead example (Apr 8, 2024). Primary: PDF · Archive copy
- Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics, Opinion 23-54. nycourts.gov
- FEC receipts search, contributor Juan Merchan. fec.gov
- NYS judicial directory bio (Cloudflare-gated). iapps.courts.state.ny.us
Changelog
2026-09-09 — v1.5 chrome: one-page power-file (boasberg/howell structure). Fact/Commentary badges, mobile Pattern cards, archive copies beside primary PDFs, sticky jump bar, Person+Article schema. Canonical juanmerchan.com (no judge alias). Old posts/* redirected to anchors; posts moved to _archive/posts. No Netlify deploy from this rebuild. No X embeds. No stock photos / no portrait (none free-license).
Corrections
If a Fact sentence is wrong, write hello@juanmerchan.com with the primary source. We will correct the page. Allegations and commentary stay labeled.
He asked the ethics shop. Then he ruled on his own recusal. “Speculative and hypothetical.” That is what he wrote about the daughter’s shop and the Biden dollars. The defendant was still Donald Trump. Filing a motion is not a finding. His denial is the finding — on paper, in his name.