Security increased after Trump’s vocal criticism of the judge and district attorney
Judge Juan Merchan, who is overseeing the Manhattan case involving former President Donald Trump’s alleged hush money payments, has received a wave of threats following Trump’s arraignment on Tuesday. According to NBC News, the threats, which have come in the form of letters, phone calls, and emails, have caused concern for the safety of Judge Merchan and other officials involved in the case.
The New York Police Department has stepped up security, providing extra protection for both Judge Merchan and District Attorney Alvin Bragg, whose office has also faced similar threats since the grand jury indictment was announced. The threats are believed to have escalated following Trump’s public criticisms of both the judge and Bragg during a speech he gave after his arraignment.
In the speech, Trump accused Judge Merchan of bias, claiming that the judge’s family, including his daughter who worked for Vice President Kamala Harris, reflected a personal animosity toward him. He also criticised Bragg, alleging that the district attorney had illegally leaked grand jury information and should either be prosecuted or resign.
The situation intensified when Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr., posted a photo of Judge Merchan’s daughter on social media, despite the judge previously instructing the former president to refrain from making posts that could stoke tension. This has raised concerns about the safety and integrity of the legal process.
