Apr 15, 2024 - Politics & Policy

N.Y. judge rejects Trump team request to attend SCOTUS arguments next week

Erin Doherty

Former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the press after the first day of his trial for allegedly covering up hush money payments at Manhattan Criminal Court on April 15, 2024 in New York City — Former President Trump speaks to the press after the first day of his trial at Manhattan Criminal Court on April 15 in New York City. Photo: Angela Weiss/pool/Getty Images

The judge overseeing former President Trump's New York criminal case rejected a bid Monday from the former president's team to be excused from court next week to attend oral arguments in his federal 2020 election case.

Why it matters: The request underscores Trump's packed courtroom calendar as he faces four criminal indictments and is required to be in the Manhattan court every day of proceedings unless granted a waiver.

Judge Juan Merchan, who is overseeing the New York hush money trial, has said that proceedings are expected to last six to eight weeks.

Driving the news: "Your client is a criminal defendant in New York County Supreme Court," Merchan told Trump attorney Todd Blanche, per ABC News.

"He's required to be here," Merchan said, adding that Trump is not required to attend oral arguments at the Supreme Court on April 25 for his presidential immunity argument, per NBC News.

The big picture: Trump, who has denied wrongdoing in the case and repeatedly presented it as a political witch hunt, has repeatedly sought delays in his four criminal cases, with some success.

Merchan has denied recent multiple requests from Trump's campaign for further delays to legal proceedings.
Trump criticized the scheduling demands in the case during brief remarks to reporters after court adjourned Monday.

Go deeper: Dozens of potential Trump jurors excused after saying they couldn't be impartial

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N.Y. judge rejects Trump team request to attend SCOTUS arguments next week

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