Former United States President Donald Trump’s request to dismiss criminal charges related to the payment of hush money to adult performer Stormy Daniels has been denied by a New York judge. The charges against Trump include falsifying business records to conceal a $130,000 payment made to Daniels before the 2016 election. The trial is set to proceed with jury selection on March 25, as confirmed by Judge Juan Manuel Merchan.
Trump, who is currently the frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination and a potential opponent of President Joe Biden in the upcoming election, has repeatedly claimed that the case is politically motivated. He stated outside the courtroom that the charges were brought against him solely because of his presidential campaign and success.
The case revolves around a payment made by Trump’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen, to Daniels, also known as Stephanie Clifford, to prevent her from publicly discussing a sexual encounter she allegedly had with Trump a decade earlier. Trump has consistently denied the encounter ever took place. Cohen pleaded guilty to violating federal campaign laws in 2018.
Prosecutors accuse Trump of attempting to cover up violations of a state law that prohibits promoting a candidacy through unlawful means. Trump’s defense team argues that the alleged cover-up cannot be used to justify the false records charges and that state law does not apply to federal elections.
Despite Trump’s previous attempts to have the case moved to federal court or have Judge Merchan recuse himself, the trial will proceed in state court. Merchan, who has made small donations to Democrats in the past, including $15 to Biden, has expressed confidence in his ability to remain fair and impartial in Trump’s case.
