In a recent development, former President Donald Trump has faced yet another setback in his attempt to remove Judge Juan Merchan from his ongoing criminal hush money case. Judge Merchan firmly rejected Trump's claims that he should recuse himself due to his daughter's past consulting work with prominent Democrats. This decision comes as Trump's potential sentencing date draws nearer, with a tentative date set for September 18th.

Trump's legal team had previously argued that Judge Merchan should step aside due to his daughter's association with Authentic Campaigns, a political consulting firm that had worked with Democratic figures such as Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Vice President Kamala Harris during her 2020 presidential campaign. However, Judge Merchan dismissed these claims, stating that there was no concrete conflict of interest.

A state court ethics panel had previously ruled that independent political activities of a judge's relative do not constitute a reasonable basis for questioning their impartiality. Furthermore, there is no evidence to suggest that the outcome of the case would have any impact on Judge Merchan's relative or their interests.

In response to Trump's attorneys' request for reconsideration, Judge Merchan firmly stated that recusal was not necessary or required. He emphasized that innuendo and mischaracterizations do not create a conflict of interest.

Trump was convicted by a jury of 12 Manhattanites in May on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to an illegal scheme to interfere with the 2016 election by hiding sex scandals from voters. The payment made to porn star Stormy Daniels totaled $130,000. Although Trump faces up to four years in prison, legal experts suggest that he is more likely to receive probation or community service.

The initial sentencing date was set for July but has since been postponed until September 18th. The possibility remains that Trump's separate appeal to overturn the conviction could further delay the proceedings. This appeal is based on the US Supreme Court's recent decision granting immunity to presidents for official acts taken during their time in office.

Trump's legal team argues that evidence presented during the trial was tainted by references to his time in the White House. They specifically point to Trump's statement made to a top aide that he was relieved when Daniels' account of having sex with him only came out after the 2016 election. However, the Manhattan District Attorney's office maintains that this does not qualify as an official presidential act.

Judge Merchan has stated that he will rule on the immunity issue by September 16th, with September 18th reserved for either the imposition of sentence or other proceedings deemed necessary.

Trump's attorney, Todd Blanche, declined to comment on the recent developments. In response to Judge Merchan's decision, Trump took to Truth Social with a tirade of posts misspelling the judge's name and asserting that the recent ruling was about the narrow gag order imposed on him. This order restricts Trump from speaking about Judge Merchan's family but allows him to criticize the judge and District Attorney Alvin Bragg.

New York appeals courts have previously rejected Trump's attempts to free himself from this gag order. The order was initially tight but was later loosened in June, permitting Trump to express himself more freely during the trial proceedings.

The ongoing hush money case is one of four criminal prosecutions faced by Trump last year. One federal case involving the alleged illegal hoarding of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago was dismissed last month but is currently under appeal by the Department of Justice. The other cases, concerning Trump's efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss at both federal and state levels, are not expected to reach trial before the November election.