Jury Selection Begins in Historic Trial of Former President Donald Trump

Jury Selection Begins in Historic Trial of Former President Donald Trump

NEW YORK (AP) — Former President Donald Trump arrived at a New York court on Monday as jury selection commenced in his historic trial, marking a significant moment as the first criminal trial of any former U.S. commander-in-chief. Trump, the presumptive nominee for this year’s Republican presidential ticket, is facing criminal charges related to allegations of falsifying internal Trump Organization records. The charges stem from a scheme to suppress damaging stories that could have impacted his 2016 campaign, particularly as his reputation was already suffering from controversial comments.

The trial, which is the first of Trump’s four indictments to go to trial, is expected to face numerous challenges due to the former president’s notoriety. Scores of potential jurors will be called into the courtroom to begin the process of selecting 12 jurors and six alternates.

The allegations against Trump focus on hush money payments made to two women, porn actor Stormy Daniels and Playboy model Karen McDougal, who claimed to have had extramarital sexual encounters with him years earlier. Additionally, a Trump Tower doorman alleged to have a story about a child Trump had out of wedlock. Trump vehemently denies all of these alleged sexual encounters.

During Monday’s proceedings, Judge Juan M. Merchan agreed to bar prosecutors from eliciting testimony regarding Melania Trump’s pregnancy during the time when McDougal claimed to have had an affair with the former president. However, prosecutors will still be allowed to present evidence related to efforts to suppress McDougal’s story. McDougal received $150,000 in 2016 from the parent company of the National Enquirer for the rights to her alleged affair with Trump, which he denies.

The charges in the case specifically pertain to $130,000 in hush money payments made to Stormy Daniels through Trump’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen. However, prosecutors plan to introduce McDougal’s claims and payment as important context for what they describe as a scheme to influence the 2016 presidential election.

Judge Merchan also ruled against playing the infamous “Access Hollywood” tape, in which Trump made derogatory comments about women. However, prosecutors will be allowed to present internal campaign emails that provide evidence of the campaign’s reaction to the video.

As the trial began, Trump’s attorneys requested an expanded questionnaire for prospective jurors to identify those who may hold biases against the former president. Judge Merchan declined the request, stating that the questionnaire was comprehensive and fair.

The trial will delve into the role of the National Enquirer in boosting Trump’s 2016 candidacy through the practice of “catch and kill,” which involves identifying and suppressing negative stories. Prosecutors argue that a meeting between Trump, Cohen, and ex-National Enquirer publisher David Pecker in 2015 at Trump Tower was the root of a scheme to suppress damaging stories, including those from Stormy Daniels.

Trump’s legal team has repeatedly sought to have Judge Merchan recuse himself from the case, citing his daughter’s work as a political consultant for prominent Democrats, including President Joe Biden. However, the judge has denied these requests, emphasizing his commitment to following the law and ensuring justice is served.

Trump’s lawyers have also requested that the trial dates be adjusted to accommodate his son Barron’s high school graduation and his own son’s graduation. Judge Merchan has not yet ruled on these requests but expressed willingness to adjourn for one or both days if necessary.

Only one room within the courthouse is equipped to livestream the trial, and it is currently being used as an overflow room for press, court officers, and a few members of the public. Prominent Trump critic and attorney George Conway was among the attendees.

Outside the courthouse, Trump supporters and protesters gathered. The former president’s campaign continued to characterize the trial as politically motivated, attacking the Manhattan District Attorney, Alvin Bragg, as “George Soros’s Favorite DA” and labeling the proceedings as “The NY Biden Trial.”

As the trial unfolds, Trump has taken to his Truth Social platform to criticize the trial as rigged and express frustration over the restrictions placed on him. He claims that his voice has been silenced while his opponents are free to speak about him.