Donald Trump’s legal team has launched a fresh effort to overturn his Manhattan conviction by alleging juror misconduct during the trial. In a letter unsealed on Tuesday, Trump’s lawyers claimed they had evidence suggesting the jury that found him guilty of falsifying business records was “not fair or impartial.” They argued that a whistle-blower had revealed serious misconduct, though the nature of the claims remains unclear. The letter and subsequent filings by prosecutors were heavily redacted, keeping both the details and the whistle-blower’s identity a secret.
Trump’s spokesperson weighed in, suggesting the trial had been tainted by “partisan political motivations” even inside the jury room. However, the Manhattan district attorney’s office countered these claims, revealing that the whistle-blower had not signed a sworn statement and had disputed the defense’s version of events. Judge Juan M. Merchan also expressed skepticism, dismissing the accusations as “mere hearsay and conjecture.” The judge pointed out that Trump’s lawyers neither obtained a sworn affidavit nor supported holding a hearing to investigate further.
Judge Rejects Trump’s Appeal Efforts
Justice Merchan’s response dealt a significant blow to Trump’s attempts to erase his 34 felony convictions before the upcoming presidential election. In his order, the judge stated that allegations of juror misconduct require concrete evidence, not speculation. “This court is prohibited from deciding such claims on the basis of mere hearsay and conjecture,” Merchan noted.
The juror misconduct accusation is only the latest in a series of legal maneuvers Trump’s lawyer has employed to challenge the verdict. Previously, his lawyers cited the Supreme Court’s ruling on presidential immunity, arguing that testimony from former White House officials improperly influenced the trial. However, Judge Merchan dismissed this argument as well, stating that the evidence presented pertained to Trump’s private conduct, not official presidential acts. Even if errors occurred, the judge emphasized, they were “harmless” given the “overwhelming evidence of guilt.”
Legal Options Dwindling as Election Nears
Despite facing multiple setbacks, Trump’s legal team has signaled that they may revisit the juror misconduct claim during the appeals process. For now, though, the judge’s ruling marks another roadblock in Trump’s bid to overturn his conviction. Trump previously failed to move the case to federal court, and while that decision is under appeal, his options are narrowing.
On social media, Trump lashed out at Justice Merchan, calling him “incompetent” and describing his ruling as “psychotic.” The former president’s lawyers have also asked the judge to throw out the conviction, citing Trump’s electoral success as evidence of a “national mandate.” The judge’s ruling on this request is expected in the coming days.
While Trump’s legal battles continue, the recent rulings underscore the challenges Trump’s lawyer faces in clearing his criminal record as he seeks to return to the White House.
