Rick Scott doubles down on attacks on Judge Merchan’s daughter

Sen. Rick Scott (R-Florida) continued his attacks on the daughter of the judge overseeing former President Trump’s criminal case on Sunday, claiming she is a “political agent.”

Scott was in New York City on Thursday to support Trump in his criminal case, where he faces more than 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to attempts to cover up a previous affair before the 2016 election.

In front of the courtroom, Scott attacked Judge Juan Merchan’s daughter, claiming that she was a Democratic operative and that her work tarnished the judge’s impartiality. Trump has previously made similar comments, but was rebuked after Merchan expanded a gag order in the case.

“The judge’s daughter is a political operative and raises money for Democrats,” Scott said in New York.

When asked in an interview with “Fox News Sunday” why he personally went after someone who is not in politics, Scott doubled down.

“Democrats are using the judicial system to persecute and criminally prosecute a political opponent,” Scott said. “They’re just thugs trying to stop Trump from running for president.”

“The judge’s daughter is a big fundraiser for Democrats,” he continued. “Everyone involved in this is part of the Democratic machine. It looks horrible.”

The daughter, Loren Merchan, previously worked at a progressive consulting firm and represented Democratic-aligned groups as a lawyer.

Trump’s previous attacks on Merchan were widely derided as unnecessary and too personal. Some of Trump’s initial claims were based on falsehoods spread by fake news accounts, a hearing into the matter later found.

Rep. Mike Lawler (RN.Y.) said at the time that “families should always be off limits,” criticizing the former president.

Trump’s attacks were part of an attempt to get Judge Merchan to recuse himself from the case, which he did not do.

The trial in the case continues this week, after some of the case’s most important witnesses testified in court last week. It is unknown whether Trump himself will testify.

This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story