Judge Sets Date for Donald Trump’s Hush-Money Trial, Making It the First Criminal Prosecution of an Ex-President
In a historic ruling, a judge has announced that the hush-money trial involving former President Donald Trump will begin on March 25, marking the first criminal prosecution of an ex-president. The trial centers around charges that Trump falsified business records during the 2016 political campaign to conceal a past sexual encounter with adult-film star Stormy Daniels. With the trial set to last approximately six weeks, it will coincide with the spring’s presidential nominating season, creating a unique and highly charged political atmosphere.
Trump, who currently leads the Republican field of 2024 candidates for the White House, watched the proceedings in Manhattan criminal court without displaying much emotion. His defense attorney, Todd Blanche, argued against the trial’s commencement, claiming that the defense needs more time to prepare and that it will unfairly interfere with Trump’s campaign efforts. Blanche also noted that Trump is scheduled for trial in Florida in late May on separate charges of illegally retaining classified documents and obstructing government attempts to retrieve them.
Among the four indictments faced by Trump, legal experts consider the New York case to be the least weighty since it pertains to conduct from eight years ago that federal prosecutors previously investigated but declined to charge. However, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s case is likely to be the first to come before a jury, despite objections from Trump’s lawyers. The compressed and expedited schedules for all of Trump’s trials have presented significant challenges for both the defense and the prosecution.
The courtroom discussion also touched upon jury selection and the unique challenges associated with ensuring a fair trial for a deeply polarizing public figure like Donald Trump. While there is a small chance that the New York trial could be overshadowed by a separate federal case in Washington where Trump is charged with conspiring to obstruct the 2020 election results, that trial has been delayed due to Trump’s claims of presidential immunity. The judge, Juan Merchan, indicated that he has been in contact with the judge overseeing the D.C. trial and confirmed that jury selection will proceed on March 25.
Outside the courtroom, Trump expressed his frustration with the trial and vowed to campaign in the evenings while attending court proceedings during the day. He criticized the trial’s duration and questioned its fairness, claiming that it is an attempt to hinder his political aspirations. In response to Merchan’s ruling, Bragg released a statement expressing satisfaction with the decision and looking forward to the trial.
The charges in the New York case stem from Trump’s alleged misclassification of reimbursement payments to his former lawyer and fixer, Michael Cohen, who paid Stormy Daniels $130,000 in 2016 to keep quiet about her alleged affair with Trump. Bragg accuses Trump of reimbursing Cohen for the hush money under the guise of legal fees, when in reality, it was a campaign expense aimed at protecting Trump’s presidential bid from damaging allegations. Cohen, who is expected to testify for the prosecution, has faced his own legal troubles, which may affect his credibility as a witness.
Trump faces 34 counts of falsifying business records in New York, a felony that becomes significant when the fraud is committed to “commit another crime or to aid or conceal” an illegal act. Bragg alleges that Trump’s scheme was designed to cover up violations of New York and federal campaign finance rules, including exceeding the federal campaign contribution cap. Trump maintains his innocence and argues that the charges against him are politically motivated.
The outcome of the trial will not bar Trump from running for office or holding public office if he is convicted. However, each case against him carries different potential consequences. A conviction in the New York trial may or may not result in a jail sentence but would be a conviction that Trump could not pardon or erase as it is a state case. As the trial approaches, potential jurors will be asked about their affiliations with fringe political groups and their political biases to ensure a fair trial for both sides.
Despite objections from Trump’s defense team, Judge Merchan remains firm in his decision to move forward with the trial. The highly anticipated trial will undoubtedly be closely watched by the public and will serve as a significant moment in American legal and political history.
