The New York judge presiding over the state’s civil fraud case against Donald Trump denied the former president’s request for a mistrial, calling claims of political bias “nonsensical” and “utterly without merit.”

Judge Arthur Engoron on Friday rejected claims against him and his law clerk, who Trump and his defense lawyers have repeatedly complained about. The former president and his team have accused the court of bias because the judge frequently confers with his clerk, creating the impression they are co-judging the case.