Juan Merchan, the Biden-donor judge presiding over the New York City trial over Trump's non-disclosure agreement, has been so hostile to Trump that he refused to allow him to attend his son Barron's high school graduation and won't allow the former president to attend the Supreme Court hearing over presidential immunity.
Merchan knows exactly what he's doing. He's ordered Trump to be present for the entirety of the trial, which is expected to last six to eight weeks, keeping Trump off the campaign trail. It's true that Trump has managed to get a few big moments recently, including his visit to the Harlem bodega where the clerk falsely accused by District Attorney Alvin Bragg of murder works. However, Trump has been pretty much sidelined.
“That I can’t go to my son’s graduation or that I can’t go to the United States Supreme Court, that I’m not in Georgia or Florida or North Carolina campaigning like I should be is perfect for the radical left Democrats, that’s exactly what they want,” Trump said after his first day of court. “This is about election interference, that’s all it’s about.”
So, what can he do about it?
For the most part, nothing. Efforts to get Merchan booted from the trial haven't succeeded, and even if they did, there's no guarantee another judge would give Trump more leeway. But, Trump could potentially work around this situation by picking his running mate now.
Related: Trump's Fate Could Be Determined This Week
Is it a bit early in the campaign for Trump to name his running mate? Perhaps. But, naming his running mate now could be an important strategic move that can serve multiple purposes. Most importantly, it would establish a prominent surrogate to step in and rally support nationwide while he can't. There are, of course, risks to this strategy. Trump is obviously the big draw for his rallies, and rallies without him are likely to bring in fewer people.
However, having his running mate out front and center could also help to energize the campaign, offering a fresh face and voice to the electorate. This individual would essentially become Trump's emissary, carrying his message and agenda to voters across the country.
Additionally, it would provide an opportunity for the running mate to begin campaigning on his or her own, independently of Trump, thereby expanding the campaign's reach and effectiveness. Having his running mate out there headlining these events in his stead would allow the campaign to frame Trump's absence as a consequence of Democratic interference, further galvanizing supporters by showing how Trump is a victim of partisan attacks that are designed to interfere with the election.
Would Trump do this? Honestly, I think it's unlikely. Trump isn't one to voluntarily cede the spotlight to someone else. That said, this may be his best option. We all know that the New York City trial is rigged against him and the best outcome he can hope for is a hung jury. If Trump winds up convicted of this non-crime by a kangaroo court, Republicans will need a candidate to rally behind immediately.
