President-elect Donald Trump launched sharp criticism at Judge Juan M. Merchan, who is overseeing his sentencing in a hush-money case. Trump accused Merchan, who reportedly donated to President Joe Biden, of bias and working in coordination with the Biden-Harris administration’s Justice Department.

Merchan ordered Trump to appear for sentencing on January 10, just 10 days before his inauguration. While signaling he would not impose jail time, Merchan emphasized that incarceration was still an authorized option but not a recommendation in this instance. Trump, however, dismissed the case as baseless and politically motivated, calling the judge “the most conflicted judge in New York State history.”

🚨BREAKING: Trump responds to Judge Merchan’s decision requiring him to appear for sentencing on January 10th. pic.twitter.com/k7chfRqlxP

— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) January 4, 2025

In a statement on social media, Trump said, “I never falsified business records. It is a fake, made up charge by a corrupt judge who is just doing the work of the Biden/Harris Injustice Department, an attack on their political opponent, ME!” He also criticized the media for what he described as a refusal to report on Merchan’s actions.

How does the corrupt Merchan still have the ability to gag Trump?

This shouldn’t be allowed. pic.twitter.com/zQyCCZQEDD

— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) January 4, 2025

According to Merchan, the sentencing decision followed legal protocols while acknowledging the prosecution’s shift away from pursuing incarceration. Merchan stated, “It seems proper at this juncture to make known the Court’s inclination to not impose any sentence of incarceration.”

The Trump sentencing: Curtain to fall on Merchan’s Hamlet on the Hudson

No rule of law in NY. https://t.co/IyTAM10SCz

— persistantNagatha 🇺🇸🍊 (@kmcccomcastnet) January 6, 2025

Trump also pointed to testimony from his accountant, who supported his claim that the records in question were accurate and transparent. He added, “Every legal scholar of note said there IS NO CASE AGAINST ME. The judge should be disbarred!”

He’s not guilty of anything. If you knew the law you would know that Bragg has no jurisdiction over federal issues and the statute of limitations ran out on the state of NY. Merchan and Bragg are guilty…not Trump. The people know what’s going on and that’s why Trump won!

— lynn (@lynn69937952) January 6, 2025

Beyond the hush-money case, Trump criticized New York’s broader legal system, citing an undervaluation of Mar-a-Lago and a separate $100 million judgment against him involving a woman he claims he never met. He attributed these decisions to a “Trump-hating judge” and accused the Biden-Harris administration of having a hand in these cases.

Well, the people don’t care what Merchan does. Other than dems and Trump haters. It doesn’t really matter, Trump is president!

— Pat (@Capale2022) January 6, 2025