Trump Faces First Criminal Trial in ‘Hush Money’ Case Next Month

Former President Donald Trump is set to face his first criminal trial next month, as a New York state judge has confirmed. The trial, beginning on March 25, will focus on alleged “hush-money” payments made during his 2016 presidential campaign. Trump faces 34 felony counts for falsification of business records, specifically for allegedly reimbursing his former attorney, Michael Cohen, for payments made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels to cover up an alleged affair.

The trial is expected to last approximately six weeks, with proceedings running from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, excluding Wednesdays and April 29. Jury selection will begin on March 25, with 18 jurors, including six alternates, to be chosen. Trump’s attorneys have objected to potential questions about jurors’ beliefs regarding the 2020 election, but plan to ask about political affiliations.

Despite the trial overlapping with his presidential campaign, Trump has stated he will attend court during the day and campaign “during the night.” He criticized the scheduling as a “disgraceful situation.” It is still undecided which of Trump’s properties he will stay at during the trial.

If convicted, Trump could face fines of up to $170,000 and a maximum of 136 years in prison, although legal experts believe he is unlikely to receive any prison time as a first-time offender. Trump has pleaded not guilty, arguing that the case is not valid and is a form of election interference orchestrated to harm his campaign. He has baselessly claimed that the Biden administration influenced prosecutors in the Manhattan district attorney’s office.

This trial is the first of four that Trump is expected to face this year, including two federal trials and one in Georgia state court. However, the Manhattan trial is the only one with a confirmed date. Other cases have been delayed or are pending scheduling.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg indicted Trump in March 2023, marking the first time an ex-president has faced criminal charges. The indictment alleges that Trump concealed payments to Cohen as legal fees. The case was allowed to move forward despite Trump’s attempts to have it dismissed, with the judge ruling that the trial would proceed as scheduled.