Former president Donald Trump s hush money trial began Monday, marking the first time an ex-president has been tried on criminal charges.
The presumptive Republican presidential nominee is charged with 34 felony counts related to his alleged efforts to conceal $130,000 in hush money payments made in 2016 to silence claims he had an extramarital affair with adult film star Stormy Daniels. Prosecutors are expected to link the case to allegations of a catch and kill scheme to bury other negative stories about Trump before the election.
Trump is represented by Todd Blanche and Susan Necheles , two experienced New York attorneys hand-picked by the former president for this particular case.
Blanche left a career at Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft to start a firm and represent Trump, while Necheles has experience representing the Trump Organization in the past, according to The Washington Post.
Across from Trumps team are Susan Hoffinger and Joshua Steinglass , chosen by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg to lead the prosecution. Steinglass has experience prosecuting high-profile murder cases and will question witnesses and give closing arguments.
Trumps former attorney Michael Cohen, who served jail time on campaign finance charges related to his role in facilitating the payments, is expected to testify, as is Daniels. Judge Juan Merchan is presiding.
On Thursday, Merchan announced that 12 jurors had been selected, and the case will move forward.
Follow along for live updates from the trial:
Pinned
This Blog Has Closed. Come Follow Week 2 With Us.
We've closed this liveblog but please click here to follow updates on week 2. Opening statements begin Monday.
Court Has Adjourned
Court has adjourned for the day, with opening statements expected to begin Monday.
Sandoval Hearing Concludes -- And Witness List Drama Continues
The Sandoval hearing is over. Judge Merchan told both sides theyll have his decision by Monday.
In a separate conversation, prosecutors said they'd provide on Sunday the name of the one witness expected to begin testifying Monday. But they cautioned that if Trump posts anything about it on social media, they will cease any similar future cooperation.
In a separate conversation, prosecutors said they'd provide on Sunday the name of the one witness expected to begin testifying Monday. But they cautioned that if Trump posts anything about it on social media, they will cease any similar future cooperation.
Judge Warns Trump Attorneys They Need To Accept His Decisions
Merchan appears tired of spending time addressing procedural issues that Trumps team has already asked him to address, saying, At this point, whats happening is defense is targeting individual decisions one by one by one by one there comes a point where you accept my rulings.
My rulings are what they are. Ive entertained your motions, Ive entertained your arguments in good faith, he said.
Were going to have opening statements on Monday morning. This trial is starting.
My rulings are what they are. Ive entertained your motions, Ive entertained your arguments in good faith, he said.
Were going to have opening statements on Monday morning. This trial is starting.
Day 4 Of Trumps First Criminal Trial Is Over. Heres What Happened Today.
- We have a jury! After a handful of setbacks and an exhaustive scrutinizing of prospective jurors past social media posts by defense attorneys, a jury of 12, plus 6 alternates, has been seated.
- Judge Merchan expects opening statements will begin Monday.
- Lawyers wrangled over what topics and questions will be fair game to mention during the trial in whats known as a Sandoval Hearing. Prosecutors want to highlight the former presidents past legal battles, including his recent loss in a high-profile civil fraud trial, as a means to undermine the veracity of his claims.
Trump Attorneys: Jurors Shouldn't Learn About Lawsuits He Recently Lost
Trump attorney Emil Bove stood and addressed the prosecutions Sandoval request line by line, arguing that every case listed there should not be part of the trial. Prosecutors had wanted to be able to impeach Trumps credibility by telling jurors how he or his company were found liable in the recent civil fraud case brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James, the two defamation cases brought by the writer E. Jean Carroll, and by sharing other judgments against the former president.
Regarding the civil fraud case, Bove used the fact that Trumps bond amount was lowered from almost half a billion dollars to $175 million as reason to doubt the merits of the judgment against him, which a lawyer for the prosecution disputed. Bove also indirectly suggested the prosecution wants to turn the trial into an opportunity to accuse Trump of sexual misconduct.
This is a case about documents, Bove said. Getting into the details of the Carroll case in particular, Merchan said, would be having another trial within a trial, and were not going to do that. Prosecutor Matthew Colangelo said the facts would only be discussed to the extent needed to explain the verdict regarding Carroll.
"You'll have a decision by tomorrow," Merchan told the parties.
Regarding the civil fraud case, Bove used the fact that Trumps bond amount was lowered from almost half a billion dollars to $175 million as reason to doubt the merits of the judgment against him, which a lawyer for the prosecution disputed. Bove also indirectly suggested the prosecution wants to turn the trial into an opportunity to accuse Trump of sexual misconduct.
This is a case about documents, Bove said. Getting into the details of the Carroll case in particular, Merchan said, would be having another trial within a trial, and were not going to do that. Prosecutor Matthew Colangelo said the facts would only be discussed to the extent needed to explain the verdict regarding Carroll.
"You'll have a decision by tomorrow," Merchan told the parties.
Sandoval Hearing Begins
Trump has retaken his seat in the courtroom for a hearing on what evidence the prosecution is allowed to bring into his trial.
Court Will Resume With A Sandoval Hearing After Lunch. Heres What That Is.
With the jury selected, the court will move onto whats known as a Sandoval hearing this afternoon. The hearing, required by New York law, will provide a forum for prosecutors to tell Merchan what they intend to ask Trump should he decide to testify in the case.
The Manhattan DAs office has previously hinted at focusing on the former presidents prior legal problems as a means to discredit his testimony in the trial.
The Manhattan DAs office has previously hinted at focusing on the former presidents prior legal problems as a means to discredit his testimony in the trial.
Key Moment
Man Sets Himself On Fire Outside Courthouse
A man reportedly set himself on fire outside of the courthouse. Multiple television crews, including those from CNN and Fox, reported seeing a man light himself on fire and were on air as people tried to put the fire out.
Commentators on Fox News could be heard shouting for a fire extinguisher.
"We deeply apologize for what has happened," the reporter said after footage of the man on fire aired live, noting people were putting jackets over the man to extinguish the flames.
HuffPost's Sara Boboltz, who is inside the courthouse, reported hearing sirens.
It's unclear if the incident is related to Trump's trial.
Commentators on Fox News could be heard shouting for a fire extinguisher.
"We deeply apologize for what has happened," the reporter said after footage of the man on fire aired live, noting people were putting jackets over the man to extinguish the flames.
HuffPost's Sara Boboltz, who is inside the courthouse, reported hearing sirens.
It's unclear if the incident is related to Trump's trial.
Key Moment
12 Jurors And 6 Alternates Have Been Chosen
Trumps jury is set. The new additions include a woman from Spain who said that she doesnt believe in watching news because her husband tells her what is important; a bespectacled man who grew up in the city and works in IT; a woman whose sons like going to Rubiks cube competitions who said she is not a big news person; a native Texan who works for a luxury fashion label; and a mother of three boys who devotes her spare time to her kids.
They have all been sworn in.
They have all been sworn in.
2 Men Struck For Anti-Trump Posts: I Do Believe That He Actually Is The Devil'
Arguing that Merchan should dismiss one potential juror for cause, Necheles brought up what appeared to be strongly worded social media posts the man wrote years ago. One of them said Trump displayed egomaniacal sociopathic incompetence and another stated: I do believe he actually is the devil. While the man initially denied that the account was his, he eventually acknowledged that the posts may have accurately represented his feelings toward Trump at the time. Merchan agreed to strike him.
Another prospect, a retired teacher with a strong New York accent, was also brought in individually to face questioning over past social media posts from around the time Trump entered the White House. He had posted photos of what he described at the time as an anti-Trump rally outside the United Nations building. Great signs, I love New York, the man wrote. In court, he said he considered it more of a rally for womens rights and that he photographed it because it was right by his apartment.
Merchan said that the court has worked too hard to get the case too far to jeopardize it now, and granted the defense's request to strike him for cause.
Another prospect, a retired teacher with a strong New York accent, was also brought in individually to face questioning over past social media posts from around the time Trump entered the White House. He had posted photos of what he described at the time as an anti-Trump rally outside the United Nations building. Great signs, I love New York, the man wrote. In court, he said he considered it more of a rally for womens rights and that he photographed it because it was right by his apartment.
Merchan said that the court has worked too hard to get the case too far to jeopardize it now, and granted the defense's request to strike him for cause.
All Alternate Jurors Selected For Trump Hush Money Trial
We now have a full panel of six alternate jurors.
Another Alternate Juror Has Been Added
Were now up to four alternates. Only need two more.
Trump Attorney Conflates Womens March With Anti-Trump Rally, Gets Pushback
Trump attorney Necheles pressed a potential juror who attended the Womens March on her political views, implying that the rally was fundamentally an anti-Trump event.
"There was a lot of anger at that march toward President Trump," said Necheles.
"I believe it was more about women's solidarity," the juror replied, adding, "This is a little embarrassing but I'm not exactly sure what Trump's policies are.
Asked if she dislikes Trumps rhetoric, the juror answered, I dont know what his rhetoric is.
The juror clarified that she doesnt have a bias against Trump, whom she doesnt know much about, but said shes wary of how he riles up his supporters.
I think his rhetoric at times enables people to feel as if they have permission to discriminate or act on their negative impulses," she said, per a pool report. I think that is an issue for me in the ballot box I will have to deal with, not within the courtroom.
"There was a lot of anger at that march toward President Trump," said Necheles.
"I believe it was more about women's solidarity," the juror replied, adding, "This is a little embarrassing but I'm not exactly sure what Trump's policies are.
Asked if she dislikes Trumps rhetoric, the juror answered, I dont know what his rhetoric is.
The juror clarified that she doesnt have a bias against Trump, whom she doesnt know much about, but said shes wary of how he riles up his supporters.
I think his rhetoric at times enables people to feel as if they have permission to discriminate or act on their negative impulses," she said, per a pool report. I think that is an issue for me in the ballot box I will have to deal with, not within the courtroom.
Another Potential Juror Excused For Anxiety
Trump attorney Necheles asked if Merchan could confer privately with one potential juror who appeared to express anxiety during voir dire.
The woman was then excused. Necheles used part of her allotted time to recycle her veiled swipe at Michael Cohen, asking the group whether they could possibly trust someone who has changed their story repeatedly.
The woman was then excused. Necheles used part of her allotted time to recycle her veiled swipe at Michael Cohen, asking the group whether they could possibly trust someone who has changed their story repeatedly.
Prospective Juror Breaks Down Over Possibly Being On Trumps Jury
Prosecuting attorney Susan Hoffinger launched into voir dire for her side by explaining the basic facts of the case and telling the group, "Its not about who you are going to vote for in the fall.
During questioning, however, a young woman became emotional, telling the court, I feel so nervous and anxious right now. Im sorry. I thought I could do this.
She suggested she would not want someone who felt as she did to judge her in court, and hoped that she was not wasting the courts time.
This is so much more stressful than I thought it was going to be, she said through tears. Merchan excused her.
During questioning, however, a young woman became emotional, telling the court, I feel so nervous and anxious right now. Im sorry. I thought I could do this.
She suggested she would not want someone who felt as she did to judge her in court, and hoped that she was not wasting the courts time.
This is so much more stressful than I thought it was going to be, she said through tears. Merchan excused her.
Trump Has No Comment On New Taylor Swift Album
Per pool reports, Trump and his legal team didnt speak or face the cameras as they left the courtroom for the morning break. He also did not respond to questions about the new Taylor Swift album.
19 Potential Jurors Answer Questionnaire Before Morning Break
A total of 19 potential jurors made it through the 42-item questionnaire before a late morning break in proceedings.
They included a mother from Spain who said she doesnt believe in watching news; a chef who said he has followed the White House Instagram account for years; a native New Yorker who works in accounting; a mother who takes her children to Rubiks cube speed-solving competitions; a Midwest transplant who read The Art of the Deal when considering a real estate career; a Texas native working in fashion; and a woman who said she was fine with the time commitment so long as we get to eat.
A young lawyer said she used to practice boxing but had to stop because black eyes are frowned upon in offices, and now uses her spare time to watch TV on her couch.
I do whatever my kids want me to do in my spare time, said another potential juror, a divorcee who likes true crime podcasts.
Three other women were excused after realizing they could not be fair.
Merchan called the woman who had been to prison back to explain that she was not eligible for the jury due to a technicality, and praised her bravery for sharing such personal information.
Good luck, the woman told the judge as she exited.
Next up is voir dire, when the lawyers have a chance to ask direct questions of individual prospects.
They included a mother from Spain who said she doesnt believe in watching news; a chef who said he has followed the White House Instagram account for years; a native New Yorker who works in accounting; a mother who takes her children to Rubiks cube speed-solving competitions; a Midwest transplant who read The Art of the Deal when considering a real estate career; a Texas native working in fashion; and a woman who said she was fine with the time commitment so long as we get to eat.
A young lawyer said she used to practice boxing but had to stop because black eyes are frowned upon in offices, and now uses her spare time to watch TV on her couch.
I do whatever my kids want me to do in my spare time, said another potential juror, a divorcee who likes true crime podcasts.
Three other women were excused after realizing they could not be fair.
Merchan called the woman who had been to prison back to explain that she was not eligible for the jury due to a technicality, and praised her bravery for sharing such personal information.
Good luck, the woman told the judge as she exited.
Next up is voir dire, when the lawyers have a chance to ask direct questions of individual prospects.
Potential Juror's Emotional Story Gets Trumps Attention
Trump appeared interested in what one potential juror had to say as she went through her questionnaire, after she began with an emotional admission that she was sure shed get disqualified for having been to prison in Massachusetts.
It was over 10 years ago, but you guys keep calling me back for jury, said the woman, a mother and grandmother. Merchan asked her to approach the bench to explain her situation privately but did not excuse her.
I apologize for crying, she said once back in the jury box. Later she stated that she does not watch the news, and is a firm believer that when people do something they should be accountable for their actions.
Its probably due to what I went though, she said.
It was over 10 years ago, but you guys keep calling me back for jury, said the woman, a mother and grandmother. Merchan asked her to approach the bench to explain her situation privately but did not excuse her.
I apologize for crying, she said once back in the jury box. Later she stated that she does not watch the news, and is a firm believer that when people do something they should be accountable for their actions.
Its probably due to what I went though, she said.
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