Former President Donald Trump is currently on trial in New York City facing felony charges connected to a 2016 hush money payment made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels.
The charges against Trump allege that he falsified internal business records as part of an alleged scheme to suppress stories that could have negatively impacted his 2016 presidential campaign. This trial marks the first of Trump’s four indictments to proceed to trial and represents the first criminal trial involving a former U.S. president. Trump has entered a plea of not guilty to 34 felony counts.
The hush money trial of Donald Trump is scheduled to resume on Thursday amid additional legal developments in Washington, D.C.
Simultaneously, the Supreme Court is set to hear arguments on whether Trump is immune from federal charges related to his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. The court’s decision could determine whether Trump will face a federal trial for the four felony counts brought by Special Counsel Jack Smith.
Meanwhile, in New York City, the prosecution in Trump’s trial will continue presenting its case, with witnesses like National Enquirer publisher David Pecker expected to testify.
Later on Thursday morning, Trump may find out if he violated Judge Juan Merchan’s limited gag order through his social media posts. Prosecutors are requesting that the judge impose a $1,000 fine for each violation.
The judge has the authority to impose imprisonment, although the prosecution is not currently seeking that penalty. Authorities have indicated that the Secret Service has begun meetings and initial planning in case the former president is held in contempt.
Trial Adjourned for Passover Holiday
The jury in Donald Trump’s hush money trial was dismissed for the day as court adjourned early for the Passover holiday.
As jurors exited just after 2 p.m., they passed by Trump at the defense table without appearing to look in his direction.
Afterward, Trump glanced at reporters in the courtroom gallery as he walked into the hallway. He held onto a pile of clipped papers, which he described as news articles from the past day and a half.
“So, I put an article on it and then somebody’s name is mentioned somewhere deep in the article and I ended up in violation of the gag order,” he said. “I think it’s a disgrace. It’s totally unconstitutional.”
