The New York Supreme Court has ruled that the criminal case against former US President Donald Trump will proceed, dismissing his attempt to have the charges thrown out. The case, filed by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, accuses Trump of making hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal during his 2016 presidential campaign. The charges include 34 felony counts, including falsifying business records to conceal the payments.
Judge Juan Manuel Merchan, who is overseeing the case, has been coordinating with defense lawyers and Manhattan prosecutors to prepare for the trial, which is set to begin on March 25. This trial will mark the first time a former US president faces criminal charges in history.
Prosecutors allege that Trump’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen, paid Daniels $130,000 to prevent her from speaking to the National Enquirer about her alleged affair with Trump. They also claim that the Trump campaign paid $150,000 to McDougal to prevent her from selling her story to the same tabloid. These payments were recorded as legal expenses by the Trump Organization.
If convicted, Trump could face up to four years in prison for the charges of falsifying business records, which are considered class E felonies in New York. As this is a state case, presidential pardons do not apply, meaning Trump cannot pardon himself even if he were to become president again.
It is worth noting that even if convicted, Trump could still run for the presidency in the future, as the requirements for serving as president do not explicitly address criminal records or time spent in prison.
This case, along with four other civil and criminal cases, marks the first time a former US president has faced criminal charges. Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing in all cases.
The outcome of this trial could have significant implications for Trump’s political future, potentially bolstering his support among his base if he is not convicted. However, the trial itself will shed light on the alleged hush money payments and their role in the 2016 presidential election.
1 Response
While it is true that the New York Supreme Court has ruled to proceed with the criminal case against former President Donald Trump, it is important to consider the potential biases and political motivations behind this decision. The court’s ruling may be influenced by a desire to appease certain factions or gain public favor, rather than being solely based on the merits of the case.
Furthermore, it is worth noting that the charges against Trump are largely politically motivated and lack substantial evidence. Many of the allegations brought against him have been