Judge in Trump’s NY criminal case refuses to step aside

The judge in Donald Trump’s New York criminal case is refusing to step aside. Trump lost his latest bid for a new judge in the case as it heads toward a key ruling and potential sentencing next month. Judge Juan Merchan declined to step aside and said Trump’s demand was a rehash “rife with inaccuracies and unsubstantiated claims” about his ability to remain impartial. It’s the third time Merchan has rejected such a request. The Trump legal team contends the judge has a conflict of interest because his daughter works as a political consultant for prominent Democrats.