On Tuesday, former President Donald Trump was unsuccessful for the third time in his attempt to replace the judge overseeing his New York criminal hush money case. Trump claimed that the case was compromised due to the judge’s daughter working for Democratic campaigns, including those of Vice President Kamala Harris.

Judge Juan Merchan had previously rejected similar requests from Trump, first in August and again in April. Trump argued each time that the marketing agency, Authentic Campaigns, which employed the judge’s daughter, presented a conflict of interest or at least the appearance of one.

In this latest attempt, Trump claimed there were new reasons for the judge to step down, notably the fact that Harris is now prominent on the Democratic presidential ticket. Trump’s lawyers asserted in a letter that the judge’s daughter shares a “long-standing and extremely beneficial” relationship with Harris, especially due to Authentic Campaigns being a key vendor for Harris’ 2020 presidential run.

Judge Merchan expressed his appreciation for rigorous representation but cautioned Trump’s legal team that their arguments must adhere to professional standards. He criticized their claims as “filled with inaccuracies and unsupported assertions.”

“As has been the standard throughout this case, this Court will continue to base its rulings on the evidence and the law, free from undue influence,” Judge Merchan stated in his ruling. “The defendant has presented no new information for this Court to consider. Counsel has merely reiterated arguments that have already been rejected by this Court and higher courts.”

On May 30, a jury found Trump guilty of 34 felony counts for falsifying business records to conceal payments made to porn star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 presidential election. The jury concluded that Trump had falsified these records to unlawfully meddle in the election process.

Ruling on immunity and potential sentencing

When denying Trump’s recusal request in April, Merchan referenced the New York State Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics, which previously ruled that the daughter’s employment did not reasonably call his impartiality into question, as the case does not involve Authentic Campaigns.

The judge is expected to deliver a ruling in September on another motion from Trump requesting to set aside his guilty verdict, following a recent Supreme Court decision granting him partial immunity in a separate federal election interference case.

Trump claims that the Supreme Court’s ruling further supports his argument for Merchan to recuse himself from the New York case.

“Regardless of intent, the decisions made by Your Honor regarding the pending Presidential immunity motion and any potential sentencing would not only influence Harris but also impact the professional ambitions and financial situation of Your Honor’s daughter and Authentic,” Trump’s legal team argued in their renewed recusal motion.

If Merchan does not set aside Trump’s guilty verdict when ruling on the immunity issue, the former president is scheduled for sentencing on September 18. Merchan has the authority to impose a lengthy prison sentence, but experts suggest it’s unlikely that Trump will face any incarceration at all.