Judge in Trump hush-money case faces scrutiny over political donations.

Judge Juan Merchan, who is presiding over former President Donald Trump's criminal case, made small political donations to progressive groups and Joe Biden's 2020 presidential campaign, federal campaign contribution records indicate. The donations may give Trump an excuse to claim unfair bias, but they appear to be too small to serve as grounds for a serious legal challenge or recusal. Merchan has been receiving death threats and has been assigned a security team since he was announced as the judge presiding over Trump's case.