(RepublicanJournal.org) – Judge Juan Merchan is an acting justice of the New York State Supreme Court. He was thrust into the spotlight after presiding over former President Donald Trump’s hush-money case. Now, he’s making headlines again — this time for being removed from a high-profile case.
Steve Bannon, a prominent Conservative who served in Trump’s administration and as the driving force behind Breitbart News, is scheduled to go on trial on September 23 for federal crimes. Merchan, who has been overseeing the case and its developments since 2022, was set to preside over Bannon’s trial but has since had a scheduling conflict arise.
According to New York County Supreme Court Criminal Term administrative judge Ellen Biben, Merchan will now be overseeing a “six-defendant trial that is scheduled to commence on September 16, 2024, and expected to last at least three months.” Now, Judge April Newbauer will take over Bannon’s trial.
Bannon’s legal troubles in this instance date back to August 2020, when he was charged with allegedly attempting to cheat donors of “We Build the Wall.” The former White House strategist raised $25 million, which he said was going to finance the building of the border wall. Yet, despite raising an enormous sum of money, the campaign erected just three miles of fencing.
Bannon, alongside Andrew Badolato, Timothy Shea, and Brian Kolfage, was accused of diverting more than $1 million for personal use. He was charged with money laundering, scheming to defraud, and conspiracy. While Trump pardoned Bannon in early 2021 before he left office, that only applies to federal charges. He is now facing state offenses and has pleaded not guilty to all of the counts against him.
Additionally, Bannon is scheduled to report to jail on Monday, July 1. He is trying to appeal that order but has had little success so far with an appeals court recently denying his petition. The decision now rests with the Supreme Court.
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