Judge Juan Manuel Merchan (Photo: The New York Times).
When former US President Donald Trump enters the Manhattan courthouse for his appearance on April 4, he will face a seasoned judge: Acting New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Manuel Merchan.
Observers say Mr. Merchan is a judge with courage and experience and a "tough but fair" personality.
Judge Merchan has presided over several trials involving Trump-related figures in the past, including former Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg and former adviser Steve Bannon. Judge Merchan was also appointed to preside over the Trump Organization’s tax fraud trial.
Judge Merchan was born in 1962 in Bogota, Colombia and immigrated to New York, USA when he was 6 years old. He is the youngest of 6 children. Judge Merchan graduated from Baruch College in Manhattan with a business degree in 1990. After graduation, he attended Hofstra University School of Law, graduating in 1994. He is the first person in his family to earn a college degree in the US.
Mr. Merchan was first appointed to the bench in 2006. In 2009, he became an Acting Justice of the New York Supreme Court.
Earlier, a Manhattan district court official said Mr. Trump's appearance was scheduled for 2:15 p.m. on April 4. At the New York court, he will be fingerprinted, photographed, have his personal information checked and answer some questions from the authorities.
During the process of traveling to court and conducting legal procedures, Mr. Trump will still receive strict protection from the US Secret Service. New York State authorities are working closely with the Secret Service team protecting Mr. Trump to discuss the details of the above process.
Immediately after completing the relevant procedures, former President Donald Trump will return to Florida and give a speech there at 8:15 p.m. the same day.
Large protests are expected to be held by supporters of former President Trump in New York on April 4. Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a key political ally of Mr. Trump, called on supporters to take to the streets on April 2.
"They're not just targeting President Trump, they're targeting us. The president is just an obstacle in their way," Greene wrote on Twitter.
New York City police confirmed that barricades have been erected outside Trump Tower and the Manhattan Criminal Court building to ensure security.
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