'Just relax': Judge admonishes Trump lawyer in early Monday skirmish

Donald Trump's hush money trial had barely gotten underway on Monday morning when Judge Juan Merchan felt compelled to respond to one of the former president's lawyers' objections by telling him to calm down in his Manhattan courtroom.

According to courtroom insider and Lawfare managing editor Tyler McBrien, Trump attorney Emil Bove jumped up to object when Merchan stated, "I'm going to be consistent with my earlier rulings" regarding the prosecution's case against Trump.

On X, McBrien wrote, "After Merchan cuts in, Bove waves his arms and continues to try to argue, but Merchan calms him down, and says 'relax.'"

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More accurately, as New Yorker courtroom artist Liza Donnelly observed on X with an accompanying sketch (see below), "Today’s trial hasn’t even begun yet. Defense lawyers are arguing legal terms I don’t fully understand. The Judge is frustrated and says 'Just relax'."

Matthew Russell Lee of Inner City Press added more context, reporting, "Justice Merchan: You could have come to me for an earlier ruling - just relax - I'll let you know at the pre-charge conference. Trump's lawyer Bove: Since February, now FECA is buried under the NYS Election Law... Justice Merchan: Make me an offer of proof."