Merchan, the judge presiding over Trump's hush money trial scheduled for April 15, on Monday expanded his gag order against Trump to include not only his own family but that of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.

Trump on Truth Social wrote Saturday that he'd be honored to become a "Modern Day Nelson Mandela" and that's he's "willing to sacrifice my Freedom for that worthy cause."

"Now, we have Merchan, who is not allowing me to talk, thereby violating the Law and the Constitution, all at once. It is so bad what he is trying to get away with – How was he even chosen for this case??? I heard he fought like hell to get it, and all of the rest of them also! If this Partisan Hack wants to put me in the "clink" for speaking the open and obvious TRUTH, I will gladly become a Modern Day Nelson Mandela – It will be my GREAT HONOR. We have to Save our Country from these Political Operatives masquerading as Prosecutors and Judges, and I am willing to sacrifice my Freedom for that worthy cause. We are a Failing Nation, but on November 5th, we will become a Great Nation again. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"

Trump had demanded Merchan recuse himself from the case after journalist Laura Loomer reported that the judge's daughter Loren Merchan has connections to the Biden-Harris campaign and other high-profile Democrats, and her company Authentic Campaigns, Inc. even received funding from top anti-Trumpers like Rep. Adam Schiff (Calif.).

Additionally, Loren Merchan also had an X profile pic featuring Trump behind bars.