The trial begins with what could be a lengthy and contentious process to select twelve jurors. (File)
Donald Trump will become the first US ex-president to appear in court on Monday, pushing the country’s justice and electoral systems to their limits, less than seven months before Americans decide whether to send the scandal-plagued Republican to White House. Return house.
Trump is accused of falsifying company records in a scheme to cover up an alleged sexual encounter with porn star Stormy Daniels so as not to spoil his 2016 election.
The so-called hush money affair is only one of four criminal cases hanging over Trump and perhaps the least serious.
But the real prospect of Trump becoming a convicted felon — and potentially facing prison time — throws a stunning wild card into an already unprecedented election in which the right-wing populist is making dark vows of “revenge” against Democratic President Joe Biden. , who defeated him in 2020.
The trial begins with what could be a lengthy and contentious process to select twelve jurors.
Judge Juan Merchan will convene a pool of more than 100 ordinary citizens who must answer a questionnaire, including checks on whether they have been members of far-right groups, such as the Proud Boys, who led a gang of Trump supporters on January 6, 2021. attack on the Capitol to stop the certification of Biden’s election.
However, the actual complaint revolves around the core of the financial legislation.
Trump is accused of illegally covering up money transfers to his longtime lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen, who used the money to pay Stormy Daniels to keep quiet about the alleged sexual encounter in the final weeks of the 2016 election campaign.
A New York grand jury indicted Trump in March 2023 over the payments to Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, charging the ex-president with 34 counts of falsifying business records.
He denies the charges and could use the trial, which will last up to two months, as a high-profile platform to denounce what he says is “justice-making” and election interference by his political opponents. Trump also claims he will not get a fair trial in heavily Democratic New York.
However, the real estate mogul and former reality TV show star is using the spotlight as an unlikely campaign boost, portraying himself as a victim and using outrage among his supporters to raise money.
Even if he were convicted, he would be able to appeal and would not be denied the opportunity to continue his presidency or even be elected president on November 5.
– ‘Very high’ stakes –
Trump’s other three criminal cases — centering on his alleged hoarding of top-secret documents in Florida after leaving the White House and his involvement in efforts to overturn the 2020 election — are all facing multiple delays.
In the New York case, Trump has repeatedly failed to secure meaningful delays and Merchan has indicated he will lead the process with a steady hand.
Last week, the judge expanded an existing silence order, put in place to prevent Trump from attacking those involved in the trial, to include family members of the judge and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, the chief prosecutor.
The expansion of the order came after Trump lashed out at Merchan and his daughter in a series of posts on Truth Social.
“The stakes are very high. Because Trump and his counsel have so far managed to undermine the federal documents and cases of election interference,” said University of Richmond law professor Carl Tobias. “The hush money case may be the only case that will be heard before the federal election in November.”
In New York, where Trump has been a fixture for decades as an entrepreneur, famous playboy, politician and now criminal defendant, there is little sympathy.
“I don’t know if he will get a fair trial, but whatever happens… he did it to himself,” said city resident Alberto Vasquez (45).
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
