“An accountant who didn’t know reported it as a legal fee”said Donald Trump to the journalists who were waiting for him at the courthouse in Lower Manhattan this Tuesday. “That’s exactly what it was.” The former president used this to justify the alleged cover-up of the $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels in exchange for her silence about an alleged sexual relationship with the former president.
The Republican candidate complains that he won’t be allowed to campaign, that’s what he says He was scheduled to tour the state of Pennsylvania Now it’s about winning over voters when millions of citizens have just over seven months left to vote.
The judge in charge of the case, Juan M. Merchan, has informed him that he is obliged to personally attend the entire trial. If you do not do this, a warrant will be issued for your arrest. It would be considered something similar to a breach of the bail agreement. At press time, the judge had not yet confirmed whether he would allow the former president to skip a meeting and attend his youngest son’s graduation ceremony in May.
“This process is a disgrace”he told reporters just before entering the courtroom. “It’s a trial that should never have happened.” From day one, Trump ignored the gag law the judge applied to him, limiting his public comments.
This is so much the case Prosecutors have submitted a motion asking the judge to punish the former president of the United States for contempt of court. They want Trump to be fined $1,000 for each violation of the law, bringing the total to $3,000 for the three offenses so far.
On this second day, from early morning, several media professionals gathered at the door of the New York Supreme Court to be among the hundred journalists selected to follow the trial from the inside. There are eyes that see the former president throughout the session, and some were watching as late as Monday afternoon Trump appeared to be falling asleep after a long day. The Republican did not like the news, which spread like wildfire in the media. Especially since Democrats have taken the opportunity to respond to his attacks with a “Sleepy Donald,” a reference to the way he usually refers to the president as “Sleepy Joe.” Trump has always tried to ensure that his 77 years are not easy prey for his enemies. He knows that the age of his Democratic election rival – Joe Biden is 81 – was a reason why the octogenarian lost the support of his supporters.
Trump follows jury selection very closely; his future depends on them. But selecting twelve members for a historic trial is not easy, and even less when they have to decide the innocence or guilt of Donald Trump, former President of the United States, Republican candidate for the next presidential election and the man who has polarized this country most. Citizens must be elected who promise to be impartial against one of the world’s most famous defendants and six others who will serve as proxies. True to form, Trump wants to do things his way and has asked to take the stand during the judge’s questioning of potential nominees, an unusual practice in this type of trial.
More than 500 New Yorkers were asked to answer the 42-question questionnaire by Judge Juan M. Merchan, asking about marital status, interests, occupation and whether he has ever worked for the FBI, the District Attorney’s Office or in criminal law. They will also be asked about their political affiliation and “moral and religious beliefs” that might prevent them from following the judge’s orders. They are also asked which information channels they use, which newspapers, radio and television stations they follow and what opinion they have about Donald Trump.
The names of those selected would not be disclosed to avoid “the likelihood of bribery, jury tampering or physical harm or harassment,” the judge announced. At the moment, almost a hundred have already been rejected for one reason or another. One of them is because he dated a lawyer in the past. “We finished well,” he said, prompting laughter from journalists and even greater anger from Trump, who is not one for jokes. Another said directly that he doesn’t think he can “be as impartial as he wants.”
