Queens judge who presided over Trump criminal trial says federal immigration crackdown hits close to home

Acting New York State Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan, who presided over President Donald Trump’s criminal trial, criticized the president at a Queens judicial event. Eagle photo by Ryan Schwach

By Ryan Schwach

The Jackson Heights-raised judge who presided over Donald Trump’s criminal case criticized the fellow Queens man’s policies regarding immigration and the rule of law during a local bar association event in the World’s Borough this week.

Acting New York State Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan, the first jurist ever to preside over a criminal trial of a former president – and the first to hold one in contempt of court – said current trends toward the persecution of Latino Americans and the judiciary are troubling.

Merchan made the comments at a dinner hosted by the Latino Lawyers Association of Queens County, who said the event was one of the best attended in the history of the minority bar.

The Colombian-born judge immigrated to the United States as a child, and spent much of his life in Jackson Heights, where he said he learned to speak English, attended school and washed dishes at the Mark Twain Diner.

“I am an immigrant, and I love this country. I am very much aware of the opportunities this country has given me, and I am incredibly grateful for those opportunities,” he said.

While not directly using the name of the president, whose criminal trial related to hush money given to a porn star, Merchan condemned Trump’s immigration raids and attacks on the judiciary, and said they reopen old wounds.

“I recall vividly living in fear as a child that [immigration enforcement] might take me away and separate me from my family,” Merchan said. “Recent events that we have all witnessed on the news, social media and even in person, have triggered some of these painful memories.”

“There is so much anger, hatred, disrespect and misinformation,” he said. “So much has changed so quickly.”

Trump and his administration have also sought to silence judges who have ruled against him and his administration in court.

“Those of us who have lived in countries where the rule of law has not always been followed, the concept is cherished as integral to a healthy society,” Merchan said. “It is important for those of us who have personally experienced a breakdown in the rule of law to share our stories. The clearest way to show what the rule of law means to us in everyday life is to recall what has happened where there is no rule of law.”

Merchan said that although judges must stay impartial and apolitical, their role should not stop them from upholding the law.

“That does not mean that we are unable to do our part to uphold the Constitution and to protect the rule of law,” he said. “We as judges can do that by how we conduct ourselves and how we run our courtrooms. We can lead by our example, by treating people respectfully and with dignity and by ensuring that everyone who appears in our courtroom receives due process and equal protection.”

Merchan was the honored guest at the Latino Lawyer’s Judiciary Night, held on Tuesday night in Long Island City and attended by a plethora of judges including Chief Administrative Judge Joseph Zayas.

“This is a record turnout for our organization,” said President Robert Miklos. “We are so happy to have every judge who came here to support our organization.”