NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump’s first criminal trial is set to begin on Monday after a New York appeals court rejected his lawyers’ attempt to delay the proceedings for a third day. The former president’s legal team had sought to halt the trial indefinitely while they challenged the trial judge and several pretrial rulings that they argue have hindered Trump’s defense.
During an emergency hearing held in a court basement lobby on Wednesday, Trump’s lawyer Emil Bove argued that the restrictions in place could not operate constitutionally in a trial environment. Bove emphasized the significance of the trial, calling it a historic and unprecedented proceeding that must be done right.
The trial centers around Trump’s alleged hush-money payments, which involve falsifying his company’s records to conceal payments made to his former lawyer Michael Cohen. Cohen was involved in burying negative stories during Trump’s 2016 campaign, including a payment of $130,000 to adult film actress Stormy Daniels to keep quiet about an alleged extramarital encounter with Trump.
Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. His legal team argues that the payments to Cohen were legitimate legal expenses and denies any sexual encounter with Daniels. This trial is the first of four criminal indictments against Trump that are scheduled to go to trial.
In addition to their request for a delay, Trump’s lawyers have also raised concerns about Judge Juan Merchan, accusing him of bias and a conflict of interest due to his daughter’s work for a firm that has clients including President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and other Democrats. The lawyers have filed a recusal request with Merchan, who has yet to rule on it.
The appeals court rejected Trump’s previous attempts to delay the trial and move it out of Manhattan. It also denied the request to postpone the trial while Trump fights a gag order imposed on him recently. The gag order prohibits Trump from making public comments about witnesses, jurors, and others involved in the case.
Despite the ongoing legal battles, the Manhattan district attorney’s office argued against delaying the trial, citing the extraordinary efforts made by the court, the people, and the witnesses to ensure that the trial commences on Monday. They emphasized the importance of a fair and timely criminal trial.
The trial holds significant public interest as it marks the first criminal trial of a former president. The Supreme Court is set to hear arguments in Trump’s immunity claim on April 25, which could have implications on the evidence presented in the hush-money case. Trump’s lawyers contend that evidence from his time as president should be excluded from the trial if the Supreme Court rules in his favor.
With the trial date approaching, both sides are preparing to present their cases and await the final decisions of the court. The outcome of this trial could have far-reaching implications for Trump’s legal battles and potentially impact future proceedings involving former presidents.