Former President Trump expressed his discontent after New York Judge Juan Merchan denied his request to attend oral arguments at the Supreme Court regarding presidential immunity. Trump referred to the case as the most significant in many years before the high court. The judge's decision was made as Trump is currently involved in an unprecedented criminal trial in Manhattan.
Trump's legal team had sought permission for him to attend the Supreme Court session, but Judge Merchan, who is overseeing the trial, rejected the request. Trump accused the judge of considering himself above the Supreme Court and labeled him as a radical left Democrat.
The Supreme Court is expected to issue a ruling in June on whether Trump is immune from prosecution by Special Counsel Jack Smith in connection with the investigation into 2020 election interference. Trump emphasized the importance of presidential immunity, stating that without it, the presidency would be reduced to a ceremonial position.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has charged Trump with 34 counts of falsifying business records, to which Trump has pleaded not guilty. Trump criticized the charges, claiming that legal experts believe the case should be dropped as no crime was committed.
Trump's criminal trial has been put on hold pending the Supreme Court's decision on presidential immunity. The charges against Trump include conspiracy to defraud the United States and obstruction of an official proceeding, stemming from investigations into the Jan. 6 Capitol riot and alleged interference in the 2020 election.
In addition to the legal proceedings, Trump also mentioned being prohibited from attending his son Barron's high school graduation due to the judge's decision. Trump and his legal team had requested Merchan to recuse himself from the case due to his daughter's political affiliations with Democrat clients, but the judge saw no reason for recusal.
Merchan has yet to make a formal decision regarding Trump's request to attend his son's graduation, stating that he will assess the trial's progress before reaching a conclusion.
