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Business & Economy
Business & Economy
The Big Story
Trump hush money judge appearing more irritated
The New York judge overseeing Donald Trump's hush money case is increasingly appearing to lose his patience as the former president works to stave off the start of his first criminal trial.
© Getty Images
In this week alone, Judge Juan Merchan has refused to sideline the case over alleged discovery violations, issued a gag order to the former president and even threatened his lawyers with criminal contempt, which all came in the form of separate court rulings.
Trump walked into Merchan’s courtroom this week hoping to receive a major delay — or the dismissal of all charges — due to thousands of pages of documents being newly turned over to the parties by federal prosecutors.
Even Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s (D) office, which has long resisted Trump’s delay efforts, consented to a 30-day postponement in the wake of the surprise twist. But Merchan refused to go that far.
Instead, he punted the schedule by just three weeks. At the hearing, the judge went on to clobber Trump attorney Todd Blanche over his allegations that the case should be further delayed or tossed entirely because the new documents revealed discovery violations.
“You’re literally accusing the Manhattan DA’s office and the people assigned to this case of prosecutorial misconduct and trying to make me complicit in it. And you don’t have a single cite to support that position?” Merchan, raising his voice, scolded Blanche.
Trump’s lawyers are left with a waning list of options to postpone the April 15 trial date, though they are still pressing ahead with multiple pending motions to do so despite the judge’s irritation.
The former president is charged in the case with 34 counts of falsifying business records connected to reimbursements to his then-fixer, Michael Cohen, who had paid porn actress Stormy Daniels $130,000 shortly before the 2016 election to stay quiet about an alleged sexual encounter with Trump. Trump pleaded not guilty.
He has sought to delay all four of his criminal prosecutions so he can end or stall them if he first retakes the White House, and legal experts largely agree the hush money case may be the only of Trump’s indictments to reach a jury before November.
The Hill's Zach Schonfeld has more here.
Welcome to The Hill’s Business & Economy newsletter, we’re Aris Folley and Taylor Giorno — covering the intersection of Wall Street and Pennsylvania Avenue.
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Essential Reads
Key business and economic news with implications this week and beyond:
Baltimore bridge workers’ deaths highlight dangers of essential jobs
The presumed deaths of six road workers on the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore are shining a spotlight on the risks associated with essential jobs, especially for low-income and immigrant workers.
Full Story Trump’s proposed tariffs could cost US households $1,500 per year: Report
A blanket 10 percent tariff on imported goods floated by former President Trump could cost U.S. households around $1,500 per year, a new economic analysis has found.
Full Story Lego asks police department to stop using toy heads on suspect photos
A California police department said it would no longer use Lego heads to obscure suspects’ faces in social media posts, after the Lego Group requested the department cease the practice, citing intellectual property concerns.
Full Story Disney, DeSantis-backed board reach settlement agreement
Disney and the state of Florida have reached a settlement agreement in their lawsuit about who controls Walt Disney World’s governing district, the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board announced Wednesday.
Full Story The Ticker
Upcoming news themes and events we're watching:
- The University of Michigan releases its latest Consumer Sentiment Index on Thursday at 10 a.m. E.T.
In Other News
Branch out with more stories from the day:
Stock market today: S&P 500 sets a record after Wall Streets breaks out of its lull
NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks rose to a record Wednesday after breaking out of their three-day lull. …
Full Story Good to Know
Business and economic news we've flagged from other outlets:
- Dow surges more than 450 points, S&P 500 closes at a fresh record (CNBC)
- Disney and DeSantis have settled their yearslong dispute (CNN)
- Baltimore Bridge Collapse Pressures Already Fragile Global Supply Chain (Bloomberg)
What Others are Reading
Top stories on The Hill right now:
Greene says she won’t take blame if Jeffries becomes Speaker
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) said Tuesday that it is not her fault if House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) is promoted to the House’s top role after she filed a motion to vacate Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) from the position last week. Read more
Democrats’ Alabama win underscores political staying power of abortion, IVF
A special election in Alabama is the latest sign for Democrats that reproductive rights are a major motivating force for voters ahead of this fall’s elections. Read more
What People Think
Opinion related to business and economic issues submitted to The Hill:
- Lottery culture is overtaking America, but for most, it’s a losing bet
You're all caught up. See you tomorrow!
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