A New York judge has set Donald Trump’s first trial date for March 25 in the hush money case.
A New York judge has ruled that Donald Trump’s hush-money trial will proceed as scheduled, with jury selection set to begin on March 25. This decision comes despite demands for a delay from the former president’s defense lawyers.
The judge’s ruling means that the trial concerning Trump’s attempts to conceal stories of his affairs during the 2016 election will proceed as scheduled. This marks the first of four cases against Trump to go to trial.
Donald Trump is also facing allegations of attempting to alter the outcome of the 2020 election and unlawfully storing classified documents at his Florida residence.
Judge Juan Manuel Merchan chose to maintain the trial date, seizing an opportunity presented by a delay in a separate Washington prosecution linked to Trump’s election challenges. Originally set for March 4, this case has been on hold due to Trump’s appeal, which questions whether a former president can be prosecuted.
Merchan noted that he had resisted calls from defense lawyers months ago to delay the trial, stating, “I’m glad I took that position because here we are — the D.C. case did not go forward.” The judge added that the hush money trial is expected to last up to six weeks.
If the New York case stays on schedule, it will begin shortly after the Super Tuesday elections. This overlaps with a critical period for Trump as he seeks to secure the Republican nomination for the presidential race. His attorneys objected to the March trial date, citing this packed political calendar.
Trump’s lawyer, Todd Blanche, expressed concern, stating it’s unfair to make Trump appear in a Manhattan courtroom without a valid reason, labeling it as election interference and questioning Trump’s rights.
Speaking to reporters at the courthouse, Trump claimed that the case was politically motivated to harm his election prospects and disrupt his campaigning.
He questioned, “How can you run for election if you’re sitting in a courthouse in Manhattan all day long? I’m supposed to be in South Carolina now.”
Trump, the leading Republican candidate, is expected to challenge President Joe Biden in November.
Trump has often attended court sessions even when his presence wasn’t required.
Merchan remained firm, telling Blanche that he had already considered and dismissed his argument. At one point, he admonished the lawyer, saying, “Stop interrupting me, please!”
Thursday marked Trump’s first return to court in the New York case since becoming the first ex-president charged with a crime. He’s also facing indictments in Florida, Georgia, and Washington, D.C.
Recently, he’s been juggling campaign events with court appearances. Just this Monday, he attended a closed hearing in a Florida case where he’s accused of hoarding classified records.
In Atlanta on Thursday, there was a hearing to decide whether to remove Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis from a case involving election interference. This was due to her personal relationship with a special prosecutor she appointed.
The New York case against Trump is perceived as the least legally perilous among the four indictments he faces. The alleged misconduct, which has been known for some time, is generally considered less severe compared to accusations of mishandling classified documents or attempting to subvert a presidential election.
The Washington case against Trump, dealing with election interference, was delayed last month while the Supreme Court considers the question of immunity. No new date has been set. In Florida, the trial for the classified documents case is scheduled for May 20, although this could change. As for the Atlanta case, there’s currently no trial date set.
In the last year, Trump has criticized Judge Merchan as biased, requested his removal from the case, and attempted to transfer the case to federal court, but these efforts were unsuccessful. Merchan disclosed making small donations to Democrats, including $15 to Trump’s opponent, Joe Biden, but he maintains confidence in his ability to be fair and impartial.
The Republican presidential candidate, Donald Trump, is currently facing a flurry of legal proceedings that are intertwining with his political campaign.
One significant case in New York revolves around allegations of fraud. Trump is accused of overstating his wealth to deceive banks, insurers, and others. If the court rules against him, he could face substantial financial penalties and other consequences.
Despite efforts by Trump’s legal team to dismiss the case, the judge has denied their request. As a result, the legal battle persists, potentially posing further challenges for Trump as he pursues his presidential ambitions.
Trump’s legal team is claiming that Alvin Bragg, the Manhattan District Attorney who is a Democrat, is pursuing the case against Trump to damage his chances of returning to the White House. They argue that Cyrus Vance Jr., Bragg’s predecessor, opted not to pursue similar allegations.
The charges Trump faces could result in a maximum sentence of four years in prison, but it’s uncertain whether a conviction would lead to actual jail time.
The case revolves around payments made to two women, Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal, as well as to a Trump Tower doorman who claimed to have information about Trump’s alleged extramarital affairs. Trump denies these allegations.
Former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen paid Daniels $130,000, and he facilitated a payment of $150,000 to McDougal by the National Enquirer to suppress their stories, a practice known as “catch-and-kill.
Trump’s company paid his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, $420,000. They recorded it as legal expenses, not reimbursements. Prosecutors claim Trump’s company falsified records to hide the true purpose of the payments. Trump’s legal team argues that no crime was committed.