‘Dangerous Rhetoric is Not a Welcome Form of Argument’: Judge Merchan’s Message to Trump in Sentencing Filing

Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan left a notable message for Donald Trump in the court’s recent filing regarding his criminal case sentencing, according to legal expert Joyce Vance. In her Substack post, former federal prosecutor Vance discussed how Merchan handled the sentencing process, particularly given the unique circumstances of the case—Trump’s conviction as he prepares to become president.

Vance praised the judge for doing “the best they can to preserve the conviction itself,” given the difficult situation of a convicted defendant soon to assume the presidency. “Given that they are stuck with a bad situation that is out of their control—a convicted defendant about to become president—they are doing the best they can to preserve the conviction itself,” Vance wrote.

“Trump would like to do away with it altogether. They seem intent on preventing that from happening, and it would be a disgrace if Trump is able to get out from under the jury’s verdict.” One specific detail that Vance highlighted from Merchan’s filing was a footnote that came up during the discussion of frequent allegations of misconduct made by Trump’s defense team.

The judge addressed these allegations, particularly concerning accusations against the prosecution and himself. Vance pointed out, “There is also a very interesting footnote that comes during his discussion of the Trump lawyers’ frequent allegations of misconduct, even criminality, by the prosecution team and the Judge himself.”

In this footnote, Merchan referred to a recent report by Chief Justice John Roberts about the state of federal courts, in which Roberts condemned attacks on the judiciary. Merchan, in a twist that Vance suggested Roberts might not have anticipated, quoted the Chief Justice’s sentiment.

“Dangerous rhetoric is not a welcome form of argument and will have no impact on how the Court renders this or any other Decision,” the footnote reads. Vance interpreted this as a firm message to Trump, asserting that the judge would not yield to any political pressure.

“In other words, don’t expect the Judge to kowtow to the future president,” Vance wrote. “Respect for the importance of the office and the needs of the American people, absolutely. Abject deference, no. This is a Judge who is going to talk to this defendant as he would to any other following a conviction.”

Merchan’s words underscore his intent to maintain the integrity of the legal process, regardless of Trump’s status or future political office.