This trial is historic as it is the initial instance where a former US president is facing criminal charges in court.
The trial for former US President Donald Trump, who is accused of falsifying records related to hush-money payments to Stormy Daniels, a porn star, during the 2016 election, has commenced with the selection of jurors. This trial marks the first time a former president is facing criminal charges and has garnered significant attention. The process of choosing twelve jurors and six alternates from a pool of New Yorkers has begun, with potential jurors required to complete an extensive questionnaire provided by the judge overseeing the case.
Trump, speaking to reporters outside the courtroom, expressed his belief that the trial is a form of “political persecution” and an attack on the nation. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, a Democrat, filed 34 counts of “falsifying business records” against Trump, accusing him of attempting to hide damaging information and unlawful activities from American voters before and after the 2016 election. The charges are based on allegations made by Trump’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen, who claimed to have paid $130,000 to Stormy Daniels to maintain her silence about an alleged affair with the former president. Trump has consistently denied any involvement with the porn star.
Judge Juan Merchan, presiding over the case, has granted Bragg’s request for a gag order, preventing Trump from criticizing the prosecutor or his team. Additionally, the judge has warned Trump that failure to appear in court each day of the trial may result in his arrest. Despite concerns raised about a potential conflict of interest due to his daughter’s employment with a marketing company representing Democrats, Judge Merchan has chosen not to recuse himself from the case.
The trial is expected to keep Trump occupied in the Manhattan courtroom for the next six weeks or longer, effectively sidelining him from any ongoing political campaigns. As the 45th president of the United States, this trial holds significant implications and will be closely watched by the public and legal experts alike.
