What to know about Trump's hush money trial
- The first seven jurors were selected in Judge Juan Merchan's courtroom today for Donald Trump’s hush money trial.
- Panelists include a salesman, an oncology nurse, an IT consultant, a teacher and a software engineer. The seven were sworn in and told to return to court on Monday.
- Trump is required to be present at trial, which could go for six to eight weeks.
- Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records related to a $130,000 payment made to adult film actor Stormy Daniels at the end of the 2016 election cycle to keep her quiet about her allegation that she and Trump had a sexual encounter. The former president has denied the allegation.
- Catch up on what you missed on Day 1.
Trump claims gag order is 'totally unconstitutional'
Responding to a reporter's question about whether he believed he had violated a gag order Merchan put in place, Trump responded, "No, I didn't. There shouldn't be a gag order."
Trump also repeated an argument made by his attorneys, suggesting that the gag order is "totally unconstitutional."
Trump reiterates criticism of Alvin Bragg
Trump reiterated his criticism of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg when talking to reporters outside the bodega.
He alleged that the Manhattan DA is persecuting him, saying, "They go after Trump" rather than violent criminals. Bragg's office indicts people accused of various offenses, including violent crime.
Trump says Merchan is 'conflicted'
Responding to reporters' questions outside of the bodega about his trial today, Trump repeatedly said that Merchan is "conflicted" and suggested that his hush money trial "is rigged."
"There’s never been a judge so conflicted as this. It’s ridiculous. And also, there’s no crime," Trump said.
Trump arrives at bodega, greeted by crowd
Trump entered the bodega as the crowd outside chanted "Trump," "U-S-A" and "four more years."
Trump to speak at bodega
Trump is visiting a New York City bodega as his campaign highlights crime shortly after the second day of his hush money trial wrapped up.
The former president "believes that only by undoing the Democrat party’s soft-on-crime policies can law and order be fully restored to every borough throughout New York City," his campaign said in a press release.
The Trump campaign has frequently discussed what he paints as soaring crime, but statistics from the FBI and police departments suggest otherwise.
The bodega, located in upper Manhattan, was the site of a fatal stabbing in 2022, when a store clerk allegedly stabbed a man who attacked him. The murder case against the clerk was dismissed, and the Manhattan district attorney's office said that it could not be proven beyond a reasonable doubt that the stabbing was unjustified.
Trump speaks before departing courthouse
After leaving the courtroom, Trump reiterated criticisms of Judge Merchan, calling him "conflicted."
He also alleged that the judge was "rushing this trial, and he’s doing as much as he can for the Democrats."
"This is a Biden-inspired witch hunt, and it should end, and it should end very quickly," Trump said.
Trial concludes for the day; jury selection resumes on Thursday
The trial has wrapped for the day. Jury selection will resume on Thursday morning.
Seventh juror selected
A seventh juror has been chosen.
The juror is an attorney as a civil litigator.
The juror lives on the Upper East Side in Manhattan and is not a native New Yorker.
Lawyers huddle about striking jurors
The lawyers are now discussing which of the three who were just questioned should be struck.
Potential juror: 'The country's on the line'
A potential juror — the former corrections officer — said that he knew “some of the kids” in the Central Park Five.
He also said that he “kind of enjoys” the way Trump walks into a room.
The potential juror said he understands that his duty is to be fair, and that much of the public perception about a president is “how the media covers you.”
"This isn’t showmanship," the potential juror said. "This is real life. A man’s life is on the line. The country’s on the line. This is serious."
Potential juror says 'I’m not sure I really know anything about his character'
Trump lawyer Blanche is questioning a potential juror about his views on Trump's character.
"I’m not sure I really know anything about his character," the potential juror said.
The potential juror added that he is a litigator and takes the responsibility "very seriously," when asked about his background as an attorney and whether he would be able to follow the case.
Three potential jurors questioned about Michael Cohen, real estate industry
Three potential jurors were questioned by all parties.
One juror who works in the real estate industry was asking about any potential relationship with someone who knows Trump. The juror said that he knows people who know the former president. The juror said he was an "admirer from afar of some of the work."
Another juror was asked about whether anything about Michael Cohen pleading guilty to crimes would prevent the juror from giving him a fair shake. The juror, who said that he was a corrections officer for 30 years, said they could be honest and fair.
Similarly, another potential juror said "no" when asked if Cohen's plea would impact how he views his testimony.
All three men answered affirmatively that they believe they won’t prejudge testimony.
Potential juror says he can't serve on panel for 'one of our great presidents' because of his job
A potential juror was dismissed after he said that, as much as he'd like to serve for New York on the trial "for one of our great presidents," he can't because of his job.
Jurors discuss potential conflicts with their jobs, impartiality
One of the remaining potential jurors being questioned is a surgeon who said that the trial would be too much of an impediment for her professionally.
Separately, a high school history teacher at a private school in Manhattan said that she could not be fair and impartial after “deeply” contemplating the case.
One potential juror who works in real estate says he knows people who know Trump
A prospective juror brought up a possible conflict that wasn’t part of the judge’s questionnaire.
The juror said living on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and working in the real estate development business means that he and Trump have mutual acquaintances.
While the potential juror said that he does not use X, at one point he followed “the president,” presumably referencing Trump. He also said that he read Trump’s book "The Art of the Deal" a "long time ago."
But the juror said that wouldn’t affect him. He was not excused.
Six additional potential jurors to be questioned
Merchan has brought in six additional possible jurors who have not yet been questioned.
Merchan brings in the next batch of 96 potential jurors, tells them to return Thursday
The judge brought in the next group of 96 potential jurors into the courtroom and told them to return to begin selection at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday.
He directed them not to discuss the case with anyone else and told them not to read the news or Google alerts related to the case.
Merchan then dismissed the large group.
Six jurors are sworn in and told to come back on Monday
Judge Merchan swore in six jurors, asking them if they would decide the case against Trump to the best of their ability and follow the evidence.
The jurors were asked to come back on Monday at 9:30 a.m. They were instructed not to talk to others about the case.
Having the jurors return on Monday indicates that Merchan thinks it's possible jury selection could be completed by then. He did warn them that it's possible their return time could slide into the week if another juror requested to have off for Passover.
Six jurors have now been seated. Here are their details.
Three additional jurors have now been seated, bringing the total to six.
Here is the background of the six jurors:
- A man who lives in West Harlem and works in sales. He is married, likes to do "anything outdoorsy," and gets news from The New York Times, Fox News and MSNBC.
- A woman who lives on the Upper East Side and works as a nurse. She is engaged and likes to spend time with family and friends and take her dog to the park. She gets news from CNN, The New York Times, Google and Facebook.
- A young man who has lived in Chelsea for five years, works as an attorney in corporate law, and likes to hike and run. He gets news from The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and Google.
- A middle-aged man who lives on the Lower East Side and works in IT training and consulting. He is married with one child and two grandchildren. He said he has "no spare time." He gets news from the New York Daily News, The New York Times, Google and X.
- A young woman who is a Harlem resident and works as a teacher. She lives with her boyfriend, loves writing, theater and traveling. She gets news from Google and TikTok and listens to podcasts on relationships and pop culture.
- A young woman who lives in Chelsea and works as a software engineer. She gets news from The New York Times, Google, Facebook and TikTok.
Another juror questioned about social media posts
Trump lawyer Blanche questioned another potential juror about her social media posts from several years ago. Merchan declined to remove her for cause.
The juror said that she did not remember the post.
"I may have posted this, but I learned a good lesson," the juror said.
Prosecutor Steinglass asked if she had any doubt whether she could base her decision solely on evidence. She said no.
"Whether a juror likes what President Trump says is part of this case. Why take a chance?" Blanche said later.
Three jurors have survived jury selection and have been seated
Three people have been seated on the jury for Trump's trial so far.
Juror challenged on social media post: 'No one is above the law'
Trump's lawyer Todd Blanche is challenging a juror about his social media posts, one of which reads, "Trump indicted in documents case,” followed by the comment, “No one is above the law.”
The juror, who works as a book seller, was struck for cause after the judge agreed his answers indicated he could be biased.
The juror was also asked on Facebook whether he was picked for this jury. The juror responded, “I have to return tomorrow.”
He also posted an AI video mocking Trump.
The juror previously said that his views were irrelevant to the case and that he could compartmentalize.
Trump lawyer challenges juror whose husband shared an anti-Trump post
Trump lawyer Todd Blanche asked a third juror about a social media post that her husband shared, including an anti-Trump video and a photo of Trump from 2015.
The judge allowed the juror to stay.
Judge Merchan read a post from this juror’s husband, and one of the posts contained a side-by-side photo of Trump and Obama on March 23, 2016.
“I don’t think this is what they meant, that orange is the new black," Merchan read from the post. Trump looked straight ahead and didn’t appear to have much of a reaction.
The judge then said that they're not going to go through the trial process like this and told Blanche that all that needs to be asked is if the issue at hand would affect their ability to be fair and impartial.
“If this is the worst thing that her husband posted this humor, albeit not very good humor from eight years ago," Merchan said.
Juror dismissed for anti-Trump post
One prospective juror was dismissed after Merchan asked him about an anti-Trump post to his Facebook account in 2017.
“Good news!! Trump lost his court battle on his unlawful travel ban!!!” the post read.
“Get him out and lock him up," the post continued.
Merchan asked the prospective juror if he remembered creating this post or if he had an unfavorable opinion of Trump.
The prospective juror answered that he did not remember posting it, but it was on his account, so he must have. He added that he "did have strong views” on Trump at the time of the post in 2017.
Judge blasts Trump, saying he won't tolerate intimidation of potential juror
After the questioning of a juror, Merchan admonished Trump for seeming to talk in a way that was audible.
“I will not have any jurors intimidated in this courtroom. I want to make this crystal clear,” Merchan said.
Merchan allowed the juror, whose Facebook post was at issue, to enter the courtroom so that Trump's lawyer, Blanche, could question her.
Before the potential juror entered, Merchan warned Blanche that he shouldn't treat this moment as a cross-examination but rather just asking simply what the social media post was about.
The juror explained, “I think I was going to my car for alternate side of the street parking. And there were people honking in the street.” She said it reminded her of cheering during Covid for health care workers in New York every evening.
She started to reiterate that regardless of her political beliefs, she would be able to be an impartial juror.
After the juror left the room, Merchan said he wanted to get something on the record. "While the juror was 12 feet from your client," the judge said, "your client was audibly" saying something in the direction of the juror.
Blanche then walked over to Trump and whispered in his ear.
Analysis: Why jury consultants matter
Criminal defendants of means — or with PAC money — hire jury consultants to expand the defense's resources to include thoroughly cross-examining prospective jurors.
While the front-line lawyers are focused, in court, on conducting the voir dire, or the preliminary examination of a juror, other lawyers, often more junior, are partnering with jury consultants to feed them available information about the prospective jurors. This could include the names that are available to them, but not to the public.
In this day and age, it is also typical, if not predictable, for jury consultants or lawyers to scour prospective jurors’ social media sites for indications of bias — or alternatively, signs that the prospective juror is desirable for the defense.
Judge describes Facebook post of potential juror appearing to celebrate 2020 election
Judge Merchan read the Facebook post aloud in court that Blanche, Trump's lawyer, took issue with. The potential juror posted it the Saturday after the 2020 election when Joe Biden was declared the winner.
The judge said it appeared to be two screen grabs at an outdoor location and read, "I have to get in the car and spread the honking cheers. There’s an actual dance party on 96th Street."
Merchan asked Blanche how that post calls into question the juror's ability to be fair during trial. Blanche said it was because the juror expressed their opinion about Trump.
Blanche repeated that multiple potential jurors had social media posts that contradicted their oral testimony during voir dire.
Trump's lawyers say potential jurors' social media posts contradict what they said in court
Trump's defense team is putting up a fight on the group of jurors that sat for voir dire before lunch.
“There’s a number of the jurors that we have social media posts for that are very much contrary” to what they said in court, Trump lawyer Todd Blanche said.
Court resumes
The jury selection process has resumed.
NYC Mayor Eric Adams says he doesn't want Trump trial to disrupt the city
New York Mayor Eric Adams said at a media availability that he was going down to the courthouse and said he didn't want to see a lot of police officers there.
"Our overtime needs to be used for real issues — not make-believe ones," he said.
Adams indicated that he's fine having the "right manpower" there, but he said it should "send the right message."
"We’re not playing around," he said. "Don’t come here thinking you’re disrupting our city. That’s not going to happen and I don’t need thousands of police officers doing that."
Court takes lunch until 2:15 p.m.
The court has taken a recess for lunch until 2:15 p.m. ET.
Trump leaves courtroom as lawyers discuss juror strikes
Trump left the courtroom with his lawyers as both sides discuss which jurors they're going to request be stricken.
Juror says she 'didn't sleep last night' thinking about trial
One potential juror said during questioning that she "didn’t sleep last night, thinking about… can I really do this," when asked about if she could be fully impartial against Trump in the trial.
Earlier in the questioning she had said that there is "very little we probably agree on policywise,” about Trump. However, she said she considers herself a "thoughtful person."
When Blanche pushed her, asking if she really does not have an opinion on the case, she said she "doesn't think I will have a problem separating that and starting at zero."
"I don't know how to convince you of that and I know you have a dilemma,” the potential juror added. "I will do my level best, I don't know how to give you any more assurance."
Juror says he finds Trump 'fascinating'
Trump's attorney Blanche, going from juror to juror, asked for opinions of the former president. For one man, the view was one of awe.
“I find him fascinating,” one prospective juror said. “He walks into a room and he sets people off one way or the other and I find that really interesting. Really, this one guy can do all of this? Wow.”
Blanche pressed a little more for an indication of whether the juror likes or dislikes Trump. He didn’t get much.
“Certainly, he makes things interesting,” the man said. “All right,” Blanche replied without having elicited a tilt. “Thank you.”
Trump watches jurors be questioned
What’s happening in this courtroom right now is striking — the former president is forced to listen to a group of everyday New Yorkers give their unvarnished views on him, discussing their friends’ opinions of him, recollections of watching "The Apprentice" in middle school — and so far most are saying they can give him a fair shake. As they answer questions, he watches the jury box intently.
Juror turns politician with nonanswer
Blanche pushed one prospective juror on how she viewed Trump.
“What about your opinion of him, having nothing to do with this case? What opinion did you walk in here with?”
“I didn’t even know I was walking into this,” the prospective juror replied, sidestepping the question. “I’m here for my civic duty. I’m here just to listen to the facts and not let anything persuade me either way.”
Court is back in session
The jury selection process has resumed.
Dismissed juror says seeing Trump in the courtroom was 'jarring'
One prospective juror, a woman who lives in the East Village, was dismissed after saying the intensity of her job would make participating difficult, she said in an interview with MSNBC.
"I work in cybersecurity," she said. "Due to the nature of my job, it would be extremely hard for me to be here for the hours needed for as long as this trial is going to be."
The dismissed juror added that she did say she would be able to be fair and impartial toward Trump in the trial, but that actually seeing him in person was "jarring."
"I had never seen him in person before, you know," she said. "And you see someone blown up so larger than life on the media for so many years, to see them in person is very jarring."
The woman said that she made eye contact with Trump twice, once when she first began to read off the questionnaire and again right after she had finished and was dismissed.
"It was just another level of nervousness," she said.
Trump signs form to waive his right to be present at sidebars
Trump has signed a form to waive his right to be present at sidebars — meetings held between lawyers from both sides and the judge to discuss nonpublic matters.
Court takes 10-minute recess
The court is taking a 10-minute break.
Prosecutor says several witnesses in case have 'some baggage'
Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass said to the potential jurors that "several of these witnesses have what you might consider to be some baggage.”
He alluded to, but didn't explicitly name, Stormy Daniels, Michael Cohen and David Pecker.
Steinglass then talked about Cohen pleading guilty to some crimes and how some witnesses like him have written books.
Prosecutor says 'everyone and their mother has an opinion about this case'
Joshua Steinglass, a prosecutor in the DA's office, said to the group of potential jurors, “Everyone and their mother has an opinion about this case, and what the right outcome should be.”
He also said that jurors cannot discuss the case with friends and the DA's office needs an assurance that they will keep an open mind. Steinglass added that the media hasn't heard the evidence yet that they will hear in the case.
Everyone knows Donald Trump
And we are getting another preview of the prosecutor's opening statements, as Joshua Steinglass is addressing the elephant in the room: Everyone knows Donald Trump.
“No one is suggesting you can’t be fair because you’ve heard from Donald Trump,” he says. “We need jurors who can set aside strong feelings and focus on evidence.
"It’s not a referendum on the Trump presidency ... we don’t care. This case is about whether this man broke the law.”
Juror dismissed after struggling with ability to be fair
Another prospective juror is out after struggling with questions surrounding her ability to be fair.
“I believe no one’s above the law, so I guess that’s a strong opinion,” she said. Asked by the judge whether she could be impartial, she said she wasn’t certain.
“I’m not 100 percent sure that I could be fair,” she said.
Merchan excused her.
TikTok is common as a source of news
Nine of the 23 potential jurors who have answered the questionnaire so far have identified TikTok as a source of news.
Congress is currently considering legislation that would ban the popular social media app from the U.S. app store unless its China-based parent company, ByteDance, sells it. The House has passed the measure, and it's unclear whether the Senate plans to act on it.
Juror says her Facebook page contains Occupy Democrats content
One prospective juror confessed in the jury box that her Facebook page contains many things that she didn't put there and does not know how to remove.
She said that this includes some content from Occupy Democrats, a hyper left-wing group on social media.
First potential juror says he followed Trump on X, read some of his books
A male potential juror, who works in sales and revenue for software, said in his questionnaire that he followed Trump on X, formerly Twitter, and read several of his books.
The man said he read "The Art of the Deal" and "How to Get Rich." The response draw a smile and a nod from Trump.
Juror dismissed after saying he follows anti-Trump group on social media
One prospective juror was dismissed after being the first to say that he received an anti-Trump newsletter and followed an anti-Trump group on social media.
11 potential jurors remain for questioning after reading survey responses
So far, 11 jurors have read their answers to the questionnaire and haven't been dismissed by the court. One from yesterday was dismissed today after saying she had second thoughts.
Trump periodically leans back, closes his eyes
Trump is periodically leaning back in his chair and closing his eyes, only to shift his weight moments later.
It is difficult to say whether he has fallen asleep or is resting his eyes.
Prosecutors ask judge to hold Trump in contempt and fine him for social media posts
In a filing made public Tuesday, the DA's office asked the judge to hold Trump in contempt and fine him $3,000 for three Truth Social posts they say violated the judge's gag order.
The DA’s office also asked the judge to warn Trump “that future violations of the Court’s restrictions on his extrajudicial statements can be punished not only with additional fines, but also with a term of incarceration of up to thirty days.”
- On April 10, Trump "reproduced" a social media post from former Stormy Daniels lawyer Michael Avenatti. The post from Avenatti said it's "outrageous" that Michael Cohen and Daniels "can do countless TV interviews, post on social, & make $ on bogus documentaries — all by taking shit about Trump — but he's gagged and threatened with jail if he responds." Trump then thanked Avenatti for "revealing the truth about two sleaze bags who have, with their lies and misrepresentations cost our Country dearly!"
- On April 10, Trump published a post on his Truth Social account "that contained a picture of a document titled 'Official Statement of Stormy Daniels," prosecutors said, which referred to "facts that are directly at issue in this criminal trial." Trump then said in all caps, "Look what was just found! Will the fake news report it?"
- On April 13, Trump published a post on his account that said, "Has Mark POMERANTZ been prosecuted for his terrible acts in and out of the D.A.'s Office. Has disgraced attorney and felon Michael Cohen been prosecuted for LYING? Only TRUMP people get prosecuted by this Judge and these thugs! A dark day for our Country. MAGA2024!!!"
The Texan bias?
One prospective juror was excused after saying having grown up in Texas and his current work in the accounting profession might impinge on his fairness. He noted that many of his family and friends in Texas are Republicans.
“I believe I have some unconscious bias,” the prospective juror told Merchan.
The judge then asked if that meant he couldn’t be fair.
“I don’t know,” the prospective juror said. “Not sure.”
Merchan briefly consulted with lawyers for both sides and then excused the prospective juror.
Trump is seated beside Blanche awaiting court to begin
Trump, wearing a navy suit, is chatting with lawyer Todd Blanche, who sits to his right, as they await the start. Emil Bove, another one of his lawyers, is directly to Trump’s left, and Susan Necheles is seated far to Bove’s left.
As the court awaits Merchan, Blanche is emphasizing something to Trump, emphatically talking to him while almost pounding the table. Trump is equally animated, pointing in the air with a pencil to punctuate his response. Blanche has resumed talking as Trump listens, nodding and then shaking his head, smiling but rueful.
Court has resumed for day 2 of trial
Court has begun for the day in downtown Manhattan.
Trump calls trial a 'disgrace' outside courtroom, says he should be out campaigning instead
Trump addressed reporters in the hallway outside the courtroom upon arriving Tuesday morning, calling the trial a "disgrace."
The former president downplayed the charges against him, saying he was "paying a lawyer and he marked it down as a legal expense, I didn’t know."
"He marked it down and said legal expense. That’s exactly what it was. And you get indicted over that?” Trump continued.
Trump added that he should be in "Pennsylvania, in Florida, in many other states,” campaigning right now instead of in court. He went on to falsely blame the charges against him on President Joe Biden, who is spending Tuesday campaigning in Pennsylvania.
"This is all coming from the White House, because the guy can’t put two sentences together. He can’t campaign, he’s using this in order to try to win an election, and it’s not working that way," Trump said.
Former President Trump criticized the hush money trial, calling it a “scam” while addressing press in the hallway of the courtroom.
Merchan ditches Sandoval hearing, jumps right into jury selection
Merchan has abandoned his plan to hold a Sandoval hearing, which would have established the scope of the Manhattan DA's cross-examination of Trump if he decides to testify, and instead is beginning jury selection.
The trial had a delayed start with two prospective jurors missing and one being dismissed for being sick. One of the missing prospective jurors has now arrived, and the proceedings for jury selection continue.
Supreme Court weighs Jan. 6 rioter’s obstruction challenge, which could affect Trump’s case
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Tuesday weighs whether those involved in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol can be charged with obstructing an official proceeding, a case that could have bearing on the election interference prosecution of former President Donald Trump.
The justices are hearing an appeal brought by defendant Joseph Fischer, a former police officer who is seeking to dismiss a charge accusing him of obstructing an official proceeding, namely the certification by Congress of Joe Biden’s election victory, which was disrupted by a mob of Trump supporters.
The court, which has a 6-3 conservative majority, has in the past been skeptical of prosecutors when they assert broad applications of criminal provisions.
Trump himself faces charges of violating the same law, as well as conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding. They are among four charges he faces in his election interference case in Washington, separate from the hush money prosecution currently moving ahead in New York.
Tuesday’s hearing comes just a week before the Supreme Court hears Trump’s bid to toss out his election interference charges based on a claim of presidential immunity.
What is a Sandoval hearing?
Before jury selection continues this morning, Merchan is holding a Sandoval hearing, which establishes the scope of the Manhattan DA’s cross-examination of Trump if he decides to testify.
A Sandoval hearing is intended to allow defendants to make an informed decision on whether to testify by providing a pretrial determination of the permissible scope of cross-examination.
Trump's team contended in a March 19 letter that prosecutors intend to ask Trump about “thirteen different court determinations, as well as about most of the underlying facts leading to those determinations.”
Protesters are largely absent as second day of trial begins
The scene was decidedly quieter outside the courthouse for the second day of the trial. The protest zones were empty. There was space along the street for more camera crews. The lines of journalists waiting to get in were shorter.
The intensity of “first day” jitters by all — law enforcement, protestors and journalists alike — feels like it’s subsided. Inside the courthouse, the nervous energy as people awaited Trump’s arrival in court yesterday has been replaced with collegial chatter among the press corps in the overflow room.
Trump heads to courthouse
The former president has departed from the Trump Tower and is headed to court.
Trump’s New York hush money trial continues after sleepy start to jury selection
Jury selection is expected to continue this morning in the case of the People of the State of New York v. Donald Trump — the first criminal trial of a former president.
The quest to find a jury of 12 people and six alternates got off to a slow start yesterday, as more than half of the 96 potential jurors summoned to the Manhattan courtroom said they couldn’t be “fair and impartial” when it comes to Trump, the polarizing New York native and former commander-in-chief.
Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for president, is required to be in attendance for the trial, which is projected to last six to eight weeks. He has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records related to a hush money payment to a porn star during the closing days of the 2016 presidential election. The low-level felony is punishable by up to four years in prison.
Trump complained after court yesterday that Merchan wouldn’t let him skip court May 17 to attend his son’s high school graduation, though Merchan has yet to actually rule on the request, saying he would do so later.
Trump’s attorney Todd Blanche also asked whether Trump could be excused April 25, the date the U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear his arguments about presidential immunity stemming from the federal election interference case against him. Merchan rejected that request after Blanche told him, “We shouldn’t be here at all right now.”
“You don’t believe you should be here right now?” the outraged judge responded. “He’s required to be here. He’s not required to be at the Supreme Court.”
Analysis: Trump’s trial a ‘freak show’ on the outside and solemn on the inside
Inside a courthouse nestled between Tribeca and Chinatown yesterday morning, Trump’s lawyers argued with the district attorney’s office over procedures for a hush money case that could send an ex-commander in chief to prison for the first time in American history.
Merchan advised lawyers that he was getting a little annoyed by the “minutiae.” With a pool of 500 prospective jurors waiting, he wanted to get started with the process of picking 12.
Merchan also delivered Trump his “Parker warnings,” among them that he could be jailed for contempt if he is absent without leave at any point during the trial. Trump, betraying little emotion, said he understood.
Outside, in a sun-filled park across the street, peculiarity reigned over pedantry.
As Trump the candidate overlaps with Trump the defendant, new polling finds that many crucial independent voters consider his trial to be a serious issue. NBC News’ Hallie Jackson reports.
As Trump goes on trial, Biden goes to Pennsylvania
WASHINGTON — While Trump is in his hometown of New York this week for the start of his criminal trial on charges of falsifying business records, President Joe Biden plans to campaign in his birthplace of Scranton in battleground Pennsylvania.
Biden’s counterprogramming itinerary includes three days of economy-focused events in Scranton, Pittsburgh and the Philadelphia area, while his campaign keeps a spotlight on Trump’s position on abortion.
The result will be dueling visuals of the two candidates that Biden allies hope speak volumes to voters even as the president stays silent about his GOP rival’s legal troubles.
“We’re really just kind of leaving it alone,” a Biden aide said of Trump’s trial beginning this week.
Biden’s campaign speech in Scranton today pivots off Tax Dayyesterday, Biden aides said. They said the president will argue that Trump, if elected, would provide tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans at the expense of the middle class.
“We think Trump is pretty vulnerable on that,” one Biden aide said.
But it’s the differences between the two candidates on abortion that the Biden team sees as a decisive factor that could put him over the top in November’s election, according to Biden allies.
Trump’s N.Y. hush money trial begins. Here’s what you missed the first day.
Trump — now a former president on trial — has sought to turn his legal peril into a boost for his presidential campaign, animating his supporters and attempting to sow doubt about the motives of his opponents.
But facing 34 counts of felony charges, Trump argued on the historic first day of his New York hush money trial that he is the victim of a criminal justice system weaponized against him.
He called it “an assault” on the nation. And as the presumptive Republican nominee for president, he repeatedly attacked the prosecution for waging “election interference.”
It is “why I’m very proud to be here,” Trump said.
Trump intends to be involved at every level to the extent possible, from court conferences to the jury selection process, his attorney Todd Blanche said.
“President Trump wants to be present at everything,” Blanche said.