The U.S. attorney in Chicago subpoenaed a fundraising firm that had been co-owned by the daughter of Juan Merchan, the judge who oversaw Donald Trump's hush money trial. The firm, which raised funds for various political causes, was investigated as part of a broader inquiry into potential conflicts of interest. The subpoena was issued by John Lausch, then the U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Illinois.

The investigation examined whether the firm's activities created any appearance of impropriety given the judge's daughter's involvement. This development adds another layer of scrutiny to the already high-profile case that resulted in Trump's felony conviction on 34 counts related to hush money payments during the 2016 presidential campaign. The legal proceedings continue to draw intense national attention as they navigate complex questions of justice, politics, and judicial ethics.