Trump Judge’s Family Slapped With Subpoena
The House Judiciary Committee has issued a subpoena to Authentic Campaigns, the firm employing the daughter of Juan Merchan, the New York judge overseeing former President Trump’s hush money trial. This move intensifies the conflict between the committee’s Subcommittee on Weaponization of the Federal Government and the company. Previously, Authentic Campaigns had declined to provide any communications with Judge Merchan, asserting that such records do not exist.
Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) has requested that CEO Mike Nellis provide a deposition and sign an affidavit confirming that no communication occurred between the company and Merchan. Nellis had previously dismissed the request as absurd, emphasizing that his company does not engage in services for either President Biden or Vice President Harris and that their work has no influence on Trump’s legal proceedings.
Jordan’s latest demand includes a sworn affidavit confirming that Authentic Campaigns thoroughly searched its records for any pertinent communications related to Trump’s prosecution. Jordan’s letter underscores the necessity for the company to provide a sworn statement under oath, attesting to a diligent and good faith search for any such documents.
Nellis has condemned the subpoena as a tactic of intimidation, arguing that it represents a misuse of power and a baseless attempt to link the company to Trump’s trial. He accused Jordan of pushing politically motivated narratives and denying any involvement of his company in the matter.
Judge Merchan’s daughter, Loren Merchan, has been a frequent target of Trump’s criticism due to her work on Democratic campaigns. Despite several recusal requests from Trump’s legal team, Judge Merchan has consistently rejected them, citing no conflict of interest and adherence to judicial ethics.
The former president is barred from commenting publicly about Judge Merchan’s family or the prosecutors involved in the New York case. Jordan has also launched inquiries into other figures connected to Trump’s legal challenges, including Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg (D) and Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis (D).
Trump was convicted in May on charges related to falsifying business records, stemming from a hush money payment made to silence an alleged affair ahead of the 2016 election. He maintains his innocence regarding both the affair and the payment. Sentencing is set for September 18, contingent upon the Supreme Court’s decision regarding presidential immunity.
