Former President Donald Trump’s hush-money trial has been confirmed to proceed on schedule, with jury selection set to begin on March 25th. This comes following the ruling by a New York judge on Thursday, who dismissed the former president’s defense lawyers’ requests for a delay in the trial, despite their argument that it would interfere with Trump’s potential campaign to reclaim the White House.
This significant development means that Trump’s first criminal trial will address allegations from his 2016 presidential run, specifically pertaining to efforts to conceal extramarital affairs. It is one of four criminal prosecutions that Trump is currently facing, including charges related to the 2020 election and the hoarding of classified documents at his Florida estate.
The Judge, Juan Manuel Merchan, cited the recent delay in the Washington prosecution as a reason for keeping the trial date intact. He stated that he was glad to have resisted defense requests to postpone the trial months ago. This decision was reinforced after speaking with the judge overseeing the Washington case.
Despite objections and concern expressed by Trump’s defense lawyer, Todd Blanche, about the trial potentially hindering his presidential campaign, the judge’s resolution to maintain the trial date was upheld. Consequently, the hush-money trial is expected to last six weeks.
These developments come amid a flurry of legal activity for Trump, who has been balancing his court involvement with his political campaign. His ongoing court hearings and potential criminal trials have indeed become a part of his presidential campaign, setting a unique stage for the upcoming election.
This trial is considered the least legally perilous of the indictments filed against Trump. On the other hand, Trump is also awaiting a decision in a New York civil fraud case which could have major implications for his real estate empire.
As it stands, the former president’s legal team remains steadfast in arguing that no crime was committed. The outcome of the trial remains to be seen, but it undoubtedly has the potential to impact not only Trump’s political aspirations but also his real estate business.
In conclusion, Trump remains entangled in a web of legal proceedings, with a string of trials and hearings looming on the horizon. The hush-money trial’s outcome stands to shape the trajectory of Trump’s political and business future, adding a new layer of complexity to the upcoming presidential race.