New York Appeals Court Judge Justice Lizbeth González has rejected former President Donald Trump’s emergency request to delay the start of his hush money trial, which is set to begin on April 15. Trump had sought to have the trial moved to a different state and a new judge appointed. He has also announced that he is suing Judge Juan Merchan in an attempt to have a gag order placed on him removed.

The trial, set to take place in Manhattan, involves charges that Trump broke campaign finance and tax laws when he paid adult film star Stormy Daniels $130,000 to conceal an extramarital affair from voters during the 2016 presidential election. Trump is also pursuing several new filings to prevent the trial from proceeding. He is seeking to move the trial, brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, from Manhattan to Staten Island.

Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal are expected to testify about their sexual encounters with Trump. The hush money case will be the first criminal trial Trump faces before the 2024 presidential election. The developments are significant as Trump is running out of time and options to delay the start of his hush money trial.