Trump Is Suing His Hush-Money Judge

• Donald Trump is suing his Manhattan hush-money judge, Justice Juan Merchan, court records show.
• The move shows Trump amping up efforts to delay trial by getting the judge removed from the case.
• Trump’s lawsuit against Merchan is not yet public.

Donald Trump plans to sue the judge in his Manhattan hush money case, New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan.

The legal effort, which comes one week before jury selection is scheduled to begin, shows Trump is amping up his efforts to delay his trial by getting the judge removed from the case.

The lawsuit is not yet public; its existence was recorded in online records for the state appellate division court that covers Manhattan.

Attorneys for Trump did not immediately return a call for comment.

News of the still-sealed lawsuit was first reported by the New York Times, which noted that defense lawyers are seeking to delay the trial and challenge the judge’s recent gag order against Trump.