Former President Donald Trump is currently facing felony charges in New York City. The charges are related to a 2016 hush money payment made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. This trial is significant as it is the first time in history that a former U.S. president has been tried on criminal charges.
In April of last year, Trump entered a plea of not guilty to a 34-count indictment. The charges alleged that he falsified business records related to a hush money payment made by his former attorney, Michael Cohen, to Daniels. This payment was intended to enhance Trump’s chances in the 2016 presidential election.
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After an extensive week-long selection process, the jurors involved in Donald Trump’s hush money case in New York will finally be presented with the opening statements on Monday. This marks a significant milestone as it is the first-ever criminal trial of a former President of the United States.
Lawyers representing Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg must persuade a jury of twelve individuals that Trump intentionally manipulated records, with the aim of unlawfully influencing the 2016 presidential election. Their task is to establish this beyond a reasonable doubt.
“This case is not about your personal political beliefs or your stance on a specific political issue,” emphasized prosecutor Joshua Steinglass during his address to potential jurors on Thursday. “It is not a judgment on the Trump Presidency, a test of popularity, or an indication of your voting preferences this upcoming election. This case revolves around the question of whether this individual violated the law.”
Trump’s legal team is anticipated to concentrate their efforts on undermining the credibility of the prosecution witnesses. They will assert that the case is politically motivated while contending that the former president had no intention of committing any crime.
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