A New York judge has ruled that Donald Trump’s hush-money trial will proceed as scheduled, with jury selection set to begin on March 25. This decision comes despite demands from Trump’s defense lawyers for a delay.
The trial will focus on allegations that Trump tried to suppress stories about extramarital affairs during his 2016 presidential campaign. It will be the first of four criminal prosecutions against Trump to go to trial.
Other cases against him involve charges related to efforts to overturn the 2020 election and the illegal possession of classified documents at his Florida estate.
Donald Trump (Credits: NY1)
Judge Juan Manuel Merchan’s decision to maintain the trial date was influenced by a delay in the separate Washington prosecution related to election interference.
That case, originally set for trial on March 4, has been put on hold pending an appeal from Trump on the question of whether a former president can be prosecuted.
The hush-money trial is expected to last up to six weeks. It will coincide with a crucial time in the political calendar, as Trump aims to secure the Republican nomination for the presidential election.
Trump’s lawyers argued against the March trial date, claiming it interferes with his campaign schedule. They called it “election interference” and raised concerns about his rights.
Trump echoed these sentiments, stating to reporters that the case was politically motivated and would disrupt his campaigning efforts.
