Summary:
54 past the hour breaking news out of New York where the state judge overseeing the criminal case against former President Trump has denied a motion from Trump's team and will not recuse himself.
Joining us now with more is NBC News investigative correspondent Tom Winter. Tom good morning what more do we know? Right Jose so Judge Juan Merchan who oversaw the plea agreement involving Trump's CFO Alan Weisselberg as well as the trial involving the Trump organization which led to that company's conviction has been the judge that's been assigned to Trump's criminal case in New York and he was asked to recuse by Trump's attorneys on three grounds one that his daughter had a role that could that could present some sort of a bias or allegation of bias she works for a for a campaign in a type of company that provides consulting for campaigns typically to Democratic causes the judge had some campaign contributions which could raise the appearance of impartiality and that he said in his role in the Weisselberg case that he was seen according to Trump's defense attorneys is trying to encourage Weisselberg's cooperation against President Trump and they said in his interest show a preconceived bias against Trump the judge coming out today saying that he rejected all of those arguments he says quote he finds that recusal would not be in the public interest further this court has examined its conscience and is certain in its ability to be fair and impartial so Judge Mershan will still preside over Trump's criminal trial expected to start next spring of in the spring of next year rather Jose Tom winter thank you so very much.